February 2017

, Absolutely FABulous Stephan Fabi of Fabi Architekten BDA speaks to BUILDMagazine about the company and its vision. “Our office sees every project as a unique task and is looking for perfect solutions,” he begins. “As in a manufactory, only perfect individual pieces are created. Our projects unite a clear language of form and an attitude which is the theme of the building’s reference to the place and its history. In this way, individual solutions always arise with a view to the human scale and the urban or landscape integration. This is also the reason why we only work on a limited number of projects in order to ensure a consistently high quality. Our main focus is the design and planning of buildings of all kinds, artistic overall concepts interior design and wellness planning. “We have been working in architecture since 1996. So already over 20 years. Two important things have come to mind. On the one hand an extreme technisation and computerisation. On the other hand, especially in Germany, there is a high degree of over-regulation in the area of construction law. This makes building more expensive and slower.” When undertaking a new client or project, Stephan and his team have a tried and tested approach to ensuring client satisfaction each and every time. We listen carefully to the customer first. We identify his needs very closely. To this end, we are also asking a lot of specific questions about the functional process within the building and, of course, especially about its preferences and visions. Only then do we begin with our actual work. “We work extremely individually, try a lot and work out different alternatives for each project. Every project is worked out on the model. This leads to better decisions.” Stephan keeps his hand in the industry by attending events and providing expert advice for publications. He shares with us his strategical secrets to success. “In previous years, we have given many lectures and written essays. In the past few years this has been significantly reduced, however this is due to the very strong workload of our office,” he explains. “Within the industry we had to struggle above all with the declining level of architectural education in recent years. It is becoming more and more difficult to find good committed employees, who want to prescribe 100% to life as an architect. The lessons that we draw from it are that we are working more and more with the same experienced colleagues and have created a good network over the last two years. “Above all else, our main goal is satisfied customers and perfect buildings. For this, we work every day with full commitment and work towards the best possible qualification. “Through curiosity, we look at a lot of buildings, analyse a lot and try to make a lot of other disciplines like art, fashion, music into our work. “In my opinion, above all, endurance and honesty are the most important pillars for sustainable professional success.” The firm’s most successful project to date was the House of the Future, Stephan informs us. “Here, we worked with well- known partners from all over Europe to develop a completely energy-efficient building with the possible standard for 2020. An intelligent house with absolute rarity.” And Stephan also has high hopes for the future of the firm. “I think the next 2-3 years will be marked by a very good order situation and the market will be smaller in the medium term. “Our benchmark for success is above all measured by how much joy and pleasure our work makes. We are currently working on the reconstruction of a medieval building, which will be converted into a museum depot for the Museum of Bavarian History. A very important building in Bavaria. We want to finish it this year.”