Thomas Willemeit founding partner of GRAFT will give a lecture under the title “Dream, Design, Deliver” to students and interested guests in Karlsruhe on 28^th of November 2018 in the context of the University´s lecture series Reality Check #4.

The lecture will focus on the professional background of GRAFT, on its aim to combine contrary approaches and on unconventional projects in the field of “Architecture Activism”.

When: Wednesday, 28^th of November 2018, 7 pm

Where: Egon Eiermann Lecture Hall, KIT Karlsruhe

On Friday, September 28th, 2018, the exhibition “HYBRID TBILISI – Reflections on Architecture in Georgia” opens at the German Architecture Museum (DAM) in Frankfurt. Therefore the DAM hosts a Georgian Architecture Event with GRAFT founding partner Thomas Willemeit and Georgian architect Giorgi Khmaladze. Willemeit  and Khmaladze will discuss the contradictions of the Caucasian metropolis Tbilisi which sees itself confronted by a growing number of spectacular new constructions and late Soviet form experiments.

The evening will be moderated by Peter Cachola Schmal, director of the museum. The talks will be held in English.

When: Tuesday, October 23rd, 7 p.m.
Where: Deutsches Architektur Museum, DAM Auditorium, Frankfurt am Main
Price: 5€/ 2.50 € reduced

For more information please visit: http://www.dam-online.de/portal/de/Start/Start/0/0/0/0/1581.aspx

On Saturday, October 27^th, GRAFT founding partner Lars Krueckeberg will give a guided tour through the German Pavilion for “Gesellschaft der Freunde der Akademie der Künste”. He will explain the exhibition concept of UNBUILDING WALLS, curated by GRAFT together with the civil rights activist and politician Marianne Birthler for the 16th Architecture Biennale in Venice.

When: October 27^th 2018 , 11 a.m.
Where: German Pavilion at the Giardini of the Biennale di Venezia

Masterplan and Urban Strategy

The masterplan created by GRAFT is integrated into the future-oriented business corridor of the Didube Chughureti quarter in the northern part of Tbilisi’s city center.

In addition to a public landscape, the project envisions two dynamically shaped office towers that will house the offices of the new headquarters of the Georgian railway company as well as a railway museum. The overall design focuses on an enriching working environment that takes a holistic approach to the well-being of its users and creates a wide range of functions for visitors and residents.

The project is currently in the negotiation phase.

As a continuation of the exhibition UNBUILDING WALLS at the 16th Architecture Biennale in Venice, the curators of the German Pavilion, the architects GRAFT and the politician Marianne Birthler, are initiating and awarding two UNBUILDING WALLS travel grants worth 3,000 euros each.

In addition to classical research and design projects, initiatives, media documentaries or other conceptual ideas dealing with the subject of UNBUILDING WALLS will also be supported.

Carried by the idea of sensitizing the next generation to walls, boundaries and their implications, the curators would like to deepen the topic as a field of research. Students can apply with architectural and artistic projects about built, physical or strategic interventions aimed at overcoming barriers. The aim of the work may be designs and investigations on physical interventions or on the social and political significance of walls and borders.

Applications can be submitted between the 3^rd of October and the 31^st of December 2018 to media@graftlab.com

Find more details in the announcement and the application form here

The Single Parenting Retreat is located in the very south of Lake Garda, where a small peninsula reaches into the lake and offers a spectacular panorama over the water northwards to the Alps. GRAFT´s design follows the special characteristics of the place. The design integrates various functions that offer both children and their parents a diverse recreational program in breathtaking nature. GRAFT achieves the combination of organic design and natural conditions through the thematic following of the shape of the butterfly.

The design was developed in the context of a competition for a hotel for single parents, awarded by the Cavallino Bianco Family Spa Grand Hotel.

The Sueddeutsche Zeitung Magazin invited GRAFT to take part in the Design Special in early autumn 2018 on the subject of wood.  The task is to design an extraordinary birdhouse. In addition to GRAFT, the invitation was addressed to seven other international architects and designers.

The idea for the design of the bird house was already born in 2007, when GRAFT won the competition for the realization of a pilot project for energy-efficient building with a zero-energy house on BIRDS ISLAND in Kuala Lumpur. The original design of the organic outer shell, which dissolves the wall and thus creates a new spatial structure, has been simplified for the birdhouse, but also retains its function and figure in this smaller format. Our principle here is unusual design that does not stop at everyday objects.

The issue of the Sueddeutsche Zeitung Magazin with the Design Special will be published on the 28^th of September.

The Old Mill Hotel Belgrade was promoted to the exclusive new brand in the Radisson Hotel Group portfolio – Radisson Collection. The Radisson Collection is a premium lifestyle collection of exceptional hotels located in unique locations. The Old Mill Hotel is situated in the white city of Old Belgrade, near the banks of the River Sava. GRAFT transformed the historic building of the “Old Mill” into a 4-star hotel. The ambitious interior concept embraces the existing historical structure and enhances it with new materials, colors and shapes, bringing out its original qualities and creating a unique visual experience.

In a joint venture with 8minutenergy/Abundant Future Organization and the HOPE Foundation, SOLARKIOSK was able to install five solar powered mini-clinics within the HOPE Field Hospital for Women. The new clinics will provide inpatient and outpatient care, preventing unnecessary death and disability within the displaced Rohingya community.

In a short period over just a few months, the Bangladesh government together with many donor organizations has built new camps for approx. 800,000 refugees from the Rohingya commmunity in Myanmar. Bangladesh, being one of the poorest countries in the world, accomplished to prevent a human catastrophe in a remarkable endeavor, supported by the international community of donors and NGOs, among them HOPE International, a medical organization based in Bangladesh and lead by Dr. Mahmood. HOPE has built a huge compound to treat pregnant and traumatized women in the Rohingya camp.

Almost one year after the start of the Rohingya refugee crisis, continued efforts are still needed to further scale up health services for almost 1.3 million people aground in the Bangladeshi Area of Cox’s bazaar. The field hospital is one of very few health care facilities currently operating in the densely populated area. SOLARKIOSK was able to contribute its solar powered E-HUBB technology and implement 5 mini-clinics, each with 2kwP, equipped with air condition, fridges for medicaments and vaccination, ECG and other testing devices, treatment and delivery rooms. SOLARKIOSK and GRAFT believe that the solar powered clinics play a key role in implementing much needed health infrastructure among the Rohingya camps.

CEO Andreas Spiess said at the inauguration event: “Today we are very blessed to witness a heroic endeavor of the people of Bangladesh, who rescued their neighbors, the Rohingya minorities, from one of the largest humanitarian catastrophes globally. We in Europe can learn a lot from Bangladesh, who are themselves an underserved nation, when it comes to effective and caring charity. SOLARKIOSK is proud and grateful for its modest contribution of five solar powered mini-clinics for Rohingya women and in particular thanks to 8Minutenergy / Abundant Future Foundation for their never-ending support in making this challenging project a success.”

Critically acclaimed architects GRAFT designed the SOLARKIOSK as a modular, robust, secure, expandable, lightweight and beautiful kit of parts, to be assembled at its target location. The kiosk is an off-grid solution for sustainable energy provision: It will substitute extremely expensive unclean energy with low-priced and clean solar power and give access to services such as business, education, communication, health and many more. In the form of a clinic, this is enabling a superior level of medical services in off-grid settings.

SOLARKIOSK was founded in 2010 by German lawyer Andreas Spiess together with GRAFT founding partners Lars Krückeberg, Wolfram Putz and Thomas Willemeit. A very special thank you goes to our engineering team Ben and Nas, who worked non-stop for many weeks to ensure the flawless technical operation of the clinics.

On October 4th, 2018, the vernissage of the exhibition “Social Design” takes place at the Museum für Gestaltung in Zurich. It presents relevant international projects and discusses the redesign of social systems as well as living and working environments.

A loom for starting a business, a house to build yourself or a SOLARKIOSK for local power supply: Social design is design for and with society. The consequences of the globally operating economy growth are becoming increasingly serious for people and the environment. Social design faces the rising imbalance in terms of resources, means of production and future opportunities and focuses on a new, equal exchange between individuals, civil society, state and economy.

Anyone can shape society! Share your knowledge, opinions and ideas in the exhibition forum.

Vernissage: Thrusday, October 4^th 2018 – 7 p.m.

Exhibition: October, 5^th 2018 – February, 3^rd 2019
Where: Museum für Gestaltung Zürich, Toni-Areal

For more information about the exhibition please visit: https://museum-gestaltung.ch/de/ausstellung/social-design/

GRAFT founding partner Wolfram Putz will give a lecture at the 4th BEOS FORUM – Think ahead on Friday, September 21st 2018.

The lecture “Condensed Spaces” addresses a more effective use of inner city areas in order to fulfill the growing demands due to increasing population growth.

When: Friday, September 21st 2018, 12 – 12:30 p.m.
Where: eWerk GmbH | Halle F | Mauerstraße 78-80 | 10117 Berlin

For further information about the BEOS AG please visit: https://beos.net/beos-ag/wissen/beos-forum/

On Thursday, September 20th, 2018, GRAFT founding partner Thomas Willemeit will give a keynote speech at the symposium of the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development on the topic of “Vario Housing”. In the face of a global housing crisis, rising land prices and a blatant lack of affordable housing in conurbations, the issue of housing has moved into the centre of social debate.

How can residential construction be designed to be sustainable and fair? Does residential construction fundamentally need new approaches or can it not be taken up with the tried and tested?

When: September 20th 2018, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Where: Hotel Oderberger, Berlin, Germany

Further information on the program and the registration form for the seminar can be found at: https://www.forschungsinitiative.de/variowohnungen/03-netzwerk/veranstaltungen/fachsymposium-wohnungsbau-092018/

GRAFT designed the masterplan of EQUILALAND, a theme parc that is all about the world of horses. The official opening ceremony takes place on Sunday, September 16 in Munich and visitors get the chance to take an exclusive look behind the curtains of the fantastic show. Five pavillons have been designed by GRAFT next to Showpalace Munich.

In the “Horse Spa”, the keepers can be examined during daily care. Those who do not have enough of this knowledge can take a seat in the “Children’s University”, where knowledge about the world of horses is imparted in a playful way.

For more Information about the EQUILA theme parc please visit:
www.cavalluna.com/equilaland

In the context of the DAAD Alumni Seminar on “Urban Development and Future Planning in Europe” GRAFT founding partner Wolfram Putz gives an impulse lecture and analyses good examples of modern housing concepts and urban interventions in the city.

The two-day event starts on Friday, 14.09.18, with impulse lectures and an evening program for exchange and networking. Topics include vulnerability and resilience in cities and architecture, people-oriented urban planning and international urban development.

When: Friday, September, 14^th.2018, 2:40-3:15 p.m.
Where: Gaggenau, Landesakademie Schloss Rotenfels / BRD

Lars Krückeberg was selected as one of nine scholarship holders of the German Academy Villa Massimo Rome. The scholarship holders, who will start their jobs this week, belong to the elite of German artists and creatives. The stay abroad enables composers, writers, architects and visual artists to find inspiration and new artistic orientation.

GRAFT wishes Lars Krückeberg the best on his trip – we are looking forward to many tasks, synergies and new plans from Rome.

For more information about Villa Massimo and the other scholarship holders, please visit:

http://villamassimo.de/de

In August 2018 the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies selected GRAFTs project BRLO BRWHOUSE as the winner of this year’s International Architecture Award for the best new international architecture 2018.

The International Architecture Awards reflect the change of global architecture, presents current design directions by leading architecture offices and gives an important global overview of new developments in the different typological themes.

For more information about the awards, please visit the website of the Chicago Anthenaeum museum of Architecture and Design: www.chi-athenaeum.org

or the European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies www.europeanarch.eu

On Friday, July 20 2018, GRAFT Architects together with the client Trockland and the builders inaugurated the shell of BRICKS on Schöneberger Hauptstraße.

The two new buildings are part of the former postal buildings already renovated by GRAFT, which are situated over the entire block between Schöneberger Hauptstraße and Belziger Straße. The two new buildings on opposite sides of the complex will complete the block and close the two remaining gaps within the overall structure.

The two new buildings comprise a total of 128 apartments and offer space for commercial and retail use. The building on the Hauptstraße opens its facade and provides public access to the inner courtyards of the complex.

GRAFTs submission for the German pavilion has been shortlisted for the Expo 2020 Dubai among five other projects.

The architecture of the pavilion creates a symbiosis of efficiency and progress paired with beauty of the landscape and a comprehensive thought of sustainability.

A special focus is on the long-term performance of the construction: All components and materials are easy to dismantle and separate, so that the entire structure can be reused elsewhere or recycled.

GRAFT founding partner Lars Krückeberg will lead a delegation of 60 participants of the International Baukultur Symposium through the German pavilion on the 28^th of June. He will explain the exhibition concept of UNBUILDING WALLS, the German contribution to the 16th Architecture Biennale in Venice.

The International Baukultur Symposium “Building Bridges” will take place in Venice from 26^th of June to 28^th of June 2018. During the three-day program the Federal Foundation for Building Culture invites to various lectures and symposia on the cultural development of the building landscape.

The exhibition UNBUILDING WALLS reacts to current debates about nations, protectionism and demarcation. This year Germany is reunited for 28 years – as long as the inner German Wall existed. With reference to this parallel, the effects of division and the process of healing are examined as a dynamic spatial phenomenon.

When: June 26th-28th 2018, UNBUILDING WALLS on June 28th 2018, 12.30 pm

Where: German Pavilion, Giardini Biennale di Venezia

For more information about the program, please visit the German website https://www.bundesstiftung-baukultur.de/en/network/international-network-meetings/international-baukultur-symposium-0

“Walls are temporary structures. Our exhibition asks the question: What happens after a wall comes down? Even if it disappears completely, it usually leaves behind very unusual spaces.”

On June 26, GRAFT founding partner Lars Krueckeberg gives a lecture in the Zentrum fuer Baukultur of the State of Saxony and discusses the topic of the exhibition UNBUILDING WALLS, shown at the Architecture Biennale in Venice. GRAFT is curating this year’s German Pavilion together with civil rights activist and politician Marianne Birthler.

The lecture is part of the program “Semper, Selbermachen und andere Stichworte zur Baukultur”.

When: June 13th-30th 2018, UNBUILDING WALLS on June 26, 2018, 6pm

Where: ZfBK – Zentrum für Baukultur Sachsen, Schlossstrasse 2, Dresden

Free entry

For more information about the program, please visit the German website http://www.zfbk.de/portfolio/unbuilding-walls/

This weekend, on June 23^th and 24^th the Tag der Architektur 2018 (Day of Architecture 2018) takes place according to the motto “Architecture stays!”. All over Germany, architects open their offices and offer guiding tours through their built projects.

GRAFT offers guided tours through the URBAN NATION MUSEUM FOR URBAN CONTEMPORARY ART in Berlin and the Schierker Feuerstein-Arena Saxony-Anhalt. The respective project leaders offer guided tours through the buildings for interested visitors and present a unique insight into the design idea.

Berlin

Saturday, June 23^rd 2018

URBAN NATION MUSEUM FOR URBAN CONTEMPORARY ART, Bülowstraße 7, 10783 Berlin
Open tours on at 1:30 and 3 p.m.

Meeting point: Zietenstraße in front of the museum

Saxony-Anhalt

Saturday, June 23^rd 2018

Feuerstein Arena, Am Winterbergtor 2, 38879 Wernigerode
Open tours at 1, 2:30 and 4 p.m.

We are looking forward to your visit!

You can have a look at the program of the Tag der Architektur 2018 with all open projects and tours around Germany on the following homepage:

http://www.tag-der-architektur.de/

On Wednesday, June 20^th 2018 GRAFT will host a Studio Talk about “Unbuilding Walls”, the German contribution to the 16^th international architecture Exhibition in Venice 2018 as a part of the Make City Festival at their office in Berlin.

With the exhibition “Unbuilding Walls”, GRAFT founding partners Lars Krückeberg, Wolfram Putz and Thomas Willemeit together with Marianne Birthler, respond to current debates on nations, protectionism and division.

In that context chosen projects will be presented to portrait the effects of division and the process of healing as a dynamic spatial phenomenon and focuses on architectural projects in the former death strip. Among them is the Berlin Wall Memorial, which counts to the few places, where the original structures are mostly preserved.

The event is subject to registration!

Please register at pr@graftlab.com

When: June, 20^th 2018, 6:30- 8 p.m.
Where: GRAFT Gesellschaft von Architekten mbH
Heidestraße 50
10557 Berlin

For more information about the Make City Festival and registration for the event please visit the website:
http://makecity.berlin/en/

On Sunday, June 17^th 2018, the conference „Former European border and the green belt. Networks and opportunities of cooperation in a European border area” takes place at the visitor center of the Berlin Wall Memorial.

GRAFT founding partner Thomas Willemeit and Marianne Birthler, who are among the curators of the German pavilion at this year’s architectural exhibition La Biennale di Venezia, will give a lecture about the exhibition “Unbuilding Walls”.

“Unbuilding Walls” explores the effects of division and the process of healing as a dynamic spatial phenomenon and focuses on architectural projects in the former death strip. Among them is the Berlin Wall Memorial, which counts to the few places, where the original structures are mostly preserved.

The conference is organized by the German National Committee of ICOMOS e.V., IUCN, the Berlin Wall foundation, the Landesdenkmalamt Berlin, the BUND, the state office of Brandenburg for preservation of monuments and the archaeological state museum.

When: June 17^th-19^th 2018, Unbuilding Walls on June 17^th 2018, 8 pm

Where: Berlin Wall Memorial – visitor centre

Bernauer Straße 119

13355 Berlin

For more information about the program, please visit the German website https://sharingheritage.de/veranstaltungen/konferenz-iron-curtain-and-green-belt-das-erbe-des-eisernen-vorhangs-2-2/

On Friday, June 15th 2018, this year’s Real Estate forum by the IMMOEBS e.V. takes place with the theme “CROSS INNOVATION”.

Within the event, GRAFT founding partner Thomas Willemeit gives a lecture “Heimat and Identity, Start and Experiment – What will shape architecture and urban planning in the future”. Therefore he talks about the developments of cities and their physical as well as digital spaces, and themes like mobility and connectivity, which will get more important for future building, and present different forward-looking projects by GRAFT.

The aim of the Real Estate forum is to inform and support companies with the help of experts of science and practice about the opportunity of integrating the potentials of other industries.

When: Friday, June 15^th 2018

Where: Evangelische Akademie Frankfurt, Römerberg 9, 60311 Frankfurt am Main

For more information about the event, please visit the German website https://www.my-immoebs.de/cms.260/show/immobilienforum

GRAFT founding partner Wolfram Putz gives a lecture on 14^th of June 2018 at the ROMA architecture day in Burgau.

With his theme “Living Spaces – Living Communities” he thematises the developments relating to population growth in the cities and the consequences for land utilization, the compression of living space and architectural concepts. Thereby he presents different solutions of GRAFT, which corresponded to this development.

ROMA is one of the leading brands for sun protection systems with high standard to functionality, aesthetics and durability. Besides GRAFT, there are four more architecture offices, which introduce their ideas and works and discuss the theme.

When: June 14^th 2018, 3pm

Where: ROMA Forum, Industriestraße 38, 89331 Burgau

For further information about the event and registration, please visit the German website http://at.roma-campus.de/

On Thursday June 14th 2018, GRAFT founding partner Lars Krückeberg gives a lecture at the German Real Estate Day 2018 in Hamburg.

Within his lecture “Unlimited Thinking, Creating Spaces” he is talking about future architecture regarding energy intelligence, digitalization and mobility and how architecture increase the quality of our living spaces. Thereby he presents several projects of GRAFT.

For two days (14^th and 15^th of June) the German Real Estate Day in Hamburg, Germany, opens with this year’s theme “Gate to the Future” to a wide audience and connects expertise with networking. Numerous real estate experts will inform and discuss current themes of this industry within an extensive program.

The congress will be opened by the president of the real estate association (IVD) Jürgen Michael Schick. The program on the 14^th of June will be moderated by Marco Seiffert (moderator at radioeins and rbb).

When: June 14^th 2018, 2:00 pm

Where: Schuppen 52, Australiastraße 52, 20457 Hamburg

The participation is for free. For further information about the program and the registration, please visit the following German website: https://deutscher-immobilientag.de/programm/donnerstag/

As part of the curating team of the German contribution to the current La Biennale di Venezia, GRAFT founding partner Lars Krückeberg gives a talk at the event of Fiandre Architectural Surfaces in Berlin on Wednesday, June 13th.

The event will be opened by Dr. Stefano Luconi (Iris Ceramica Group), which offers impressions of the 16^th international architectural exhibition in Venice and a panel to discuss this year’s Biennale theme “FREESPACE”.

Therefor Lars Krückeberg presents the theme “Unbuilding Walls” of the German pavilion, which is curated by GRAFT together with Marianne Birthler. He explains the role of architecture within the healing process of the former German division.

With the theme of the Italian pavilion “ARCIPELAGO ITALIA. Projects for the future of the inner territories of the country” the curator Mario Cucinella (MCA) connects “FREESPACE” with the revitalization of the rural areas of Italy.

Christine Edmaier (president of the chamber of architects) analyses and explains the view of GRAFT and Marianne Birthler regarding the Biennale theme.

Following the panel there is the opportunity to get in touch with the speakers and the participants at a get-together afterwards.

When: Wednesday,  June 13^th 2018, 6:30 pm

Where: FAB Architectural Bureau

At the Sarotti-Höfe/ Mehringdamm 55, 10961 Berlin, Court 3, Entry D

For further information about the event, please visit http://www.fab-architectural.com/events/berlin/event-22-berlin/186

The curators of the German pavilion at this years La Biennale di Venezia, GRAFT founding partners Lars Krückeberg, Wolfram Putz and Thomas Willemeit together with Marianne Birthler, will be presenting their Biennale contribution at the “Grohe Dialogues” in the Kabbalah Centre Berlin on Thursday June 07^th 2018 .

The curating team will introduce their exhibition  “Unbuilding Walls – From Death Strip to Freespace” and discuss interfaces, which are significant for the development of culture and the life together.

As partner of the exhibition, the “GROHE Deutschland Vertriebs GmbH” organizes the GROHE Dialogues 2018 with the topic “Trends, Theses and Typologies” , which will be moderated by the director of the S AM Swiss Architecture museum Andreas Ruby and Sabine Gotthardt (Director Business Development, Architecture & Real Estate, Central and West Europe).

When: Thursday, 07^th June 2018, entry 6:45 pm, beginning 7:30 pm

Where: The Kabbalah Centre, Hauptstraße 27, 10827 Berlin – Entrance E, 4^th floor

For more information about the event and the registration, please visit the German website https://www.grohe-dialoge.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=18383085

On Thursday, June 07th 2018, GRAFT founding partner Lars Krückeberg presents a lecture about the future of architecture and urban planning at an event of BlackRock in London, who is one of the leading suppliers of investment management, risk management and consulting services for institutional and private clients.

Within his lecture “Future of Architecture”, Lars Krückeberg will talk about trends and developments in the industry and present several projects of GRAFT.

When: Thursday, 07^th June 2018, 10 am

Where: Drapers Gardens, London EC2N 2DL, United Kingdom

In the 11^th edition of the annualy international Design Awards (IDA) GRAFTs project “Show Palace Munich” has won Gold in the category Architectural Designs. The official award ceremony took place on Tuesday, May 22 to recognize, celebrate and promote legendary design visionaries and to uncover emerging talent in Architecture, Interior, Product, Graphic, and Fashion Design.

IDA aspires to draw attention to the iconoclasm of design worldwide that is conceptualizing and producing great work. Farmani Group assembled IDA in 2007 which has now become one of the leading Design Awards in America, awarding and promoting hundreds of designers each year.

For further information and the full winner list please visit: www.idesignawards.com

As part of the curating team, GRAFT founding partner Lars Krückeberg will report about the German contribution to this year’s international architecture exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia in the context of the seminar “Freespace” on Thursday, May 31^st 2018 in Weimar. The seminar is part of the lectures theory and history of modern architecture in the professor ship architecture and urbanism at the Bauhaus university in Weimar. Besides the explanation of the design context, he will also touch upon the content and production of the exhibition “Unbuilding Walls”.

Free admission to the public lecture.

When: Thursday, 31.May.2018, 7 pm
Where: Oberlichtsaal, Bauhaus-Universität Weimar
Geschwister-Scholl-Straße 8
99423 Weimar

For further information please visit:
https://www.uni-weimar.de/en/architecture-and-urbanism/news/news/titel/unbuilding-walls-vortrag-von-lars-krueckeberg-buero-graft-zum-deutschen-pavillon-auf-der-diesjaehr/?tx_news_pi1%5Bcontroller%5D=News&tx_news_pi1%5Baction%5D=detail

The official opening of the German Pavilion at the La Biennale di Venezia takes place this Friday, May 25th at 12.30 pm. With their exhibition “UNBUILDING WALLS“, the curators Marianne Birthler, and Lars Krückeberg, Wolfram Putz, and Thomas Willemeit of GRAFT examine the effects of division and the process of healing as a dynamic spatial phenomenon:

For 28 years, Germany has been united – exactly as long as the Berlin Wall existed (1961–1989). On the occasion of this parallel, GRAFT and Marianne Birthler are curating the exhibition “Unbuilding Walls” at the German Pavilion at the 16th International Architecture Exhibition in Venice.

The exhibition responds to current debates on nations, protectionism and division. In the German Pavilion, GRAFT and Marianne Birthler will take the parallel as an opportunity to explore the effects of division and the process of healing as a dynamic spatial phenomenon. With reference to “Freespace,” the central theme of the Architecture Biennale proposed by Grafton Architects, special focus will be given to outstanding examples of urban and architectural design that address aspects of division and integration.

By analyzing architectural projects on the former border strip, the question of what happened on this unprecedented void in the middle of a new capital will be examined. The heterogeneity of the multitude of approaches, typologies, protago­nists, and results show the breadth of architectural debates and solutions. Taking the experience of the inner-German Wall as a starting point, the exhibition will also examine historical as well as current barriers, fences and walls beyond Germany’s specific national perspective. In the course of the preparations for Unbuilding Walls a journalist team travelled to border walls around the world. This work will be shown at the German Pavilion as well.

EVENTS FRIDAY, MAY 25TH 2018

11 am
Press Conference, German Pavilion, Giardini della Biennale, 30122 Venedig

Speakers:
Secretary of State Gunther Adler
Curators of the German Pavilion Marianne Birthler, Lars Krückeberg, Wolfram Putz and Thomas Willemeit

12:30 pm
Opening German Pavilion,  Giardini della Biennale, 30122 Venedig

Speakers:
Secretary of State Gunther Adler
President of the German Bundesrat Michael Müller
Curators of the German Pavilion Marianne Birthler, Lars Krückeberg, Wolfram Putz and Thomas Willemeit

Please visit www.unbuildingwalls.de for further information on the exhibition and press material.

The 16th International Architecture Exhibition 2018 is open from May 26^th until November 25^th at the Giardini and Arsenale as well as further places in Venice/ Italy.

Official Biennale website for further information: http://www.labiennale.org/

On February 20^th, the Jury of this year’s TGA-Award met at the publishing house Berlin and determined the winner for 2018. GRAFTs residential project “Villa M” convinced in the category “new building” and was selected as this year’s winner.

The official award ceremony took place on May 8^th at the IHK Berlin (Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Berlin) during the “Berlin energy days”, which provide an overview about political, economical and technical developments around energy efficiency, renewable energies, energy supply and energy services in Germany.

Organizer of the German TGA-Award 2018 is the HUSS-MEDIEN GmbH, which counts to one of the big independent specialist publisher.

For more information about the TGA-Awards, please visit the German website http://www.tga-praxis.de/

The network for architecture exchange NAX is presenting the exhibition CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE. MADE IN GERMANY. at the Tianjin International Design Week. Next to GRAFT, over 40 architectural offices with more than 100 projects are exhibited.

The Tianjin International Design Week displays different exhibition pieces under this year’s theme “EAST X WEST – from region to culture” from May 11^th to the 16^th 2018.

The official opening ceremony took place on May 11^th and was attended by the mayor of Tianjin.

When: May 11^th until 16^th 2018

Where: Tianjin International Design Week,

#23 Beining Park,

North Zhongshan Road,

Hebei District, Tianjin, China

For more information about the NAX-exhibition, please visit http://www.nax.bak.de/eng/network-partners/contemporary-architecture-made-in-germany/

GRAFT founding partner Thomas Willemeit was selected to be part of this year’s jury for the „ABB Leading European Architects Forum Awards 2018“. The LEAF Awards are an annual awards ceremony, founded in 2001 with the aim to connect designated architects, designers, developers and suppliers from all around the world.  It recognises innovative architectural design projects and celebrates excellence in building design on an international scale. Every year each entry project is judged within its specific category by a leading panel of esteemed industry experts from around the world. Typically the LEAF Awards receive over 200 entries from a variety of architectural practices with recently completed or almost completed building design projects.
On the side of Thomas Willemeit the jury will be represented by Kai-Uwe Bergmann (Bjarke Ingels Group), Sir Peter Cook (Crab Studio, Winner of “Lifetime Achievement of the Year” 2017), Werner Frosch (Henning Larsen) and Viviana Mucettola (Zaha Hadid).

The Price giving ceremony will be held on Thursday, October 18^th in Germany.

For more information about the LEAF Awards visit:
http://www.arena-international.com/leafawards/

On Thursday, April 19th, the specialist symposium „Future of Work“ by the Gegenbauer Holding SE & Co. KG takes place in cooperation with the Bauhaus Council Berlin and discusses present questions about new operating modes and the future changing process because of artificial intelligence.

The event will be opened by Hartmut Engler (member of the Gegenbauer management board) and the leading curator of the Bauhaus-Archive Dr. Sibylle Hoiman.

During the symposium GRAFT founding partner Lars Krückeberg takes part in a panel discussion, which deals with the topic “Light and Work” and will share his architectural expertise.

When: Thursday, April 19^th 2018, 4pm

Where: Bauhaus Archiv Berlin, Klingelhöferstraße 14, 10785 Berlin

We are proud that the new Parelia LED is now available on TRILUX.

The new TRILUX Parelia LED enables the realization of attractive, parallel lighting concepts – ideal for modern office architectures. They guarantee a high indirect light range, perfect working conditions inside the office. Thanks to their unique design, they can place the luminaire centrally over the screen without a blend on reflecting surfaces. The Parelia LED was developed in collaboration with TRILUX and won the Good Design Award 2018, the Design Plus Award 2018 and the German Design Award 2018.

If you want to find out more about Parelia, please click on the link below:

https://www.trilux.com/products/de/Innenbeleuchtung/Haengeleuchten/Parelia-LED-Haengeleuchte/

With a triple nomination GRAFT architects enter the competition for the annual DAM Award 2019, which is granted by the Deutsches Architekturmuseum DAM (German Museum of Architecture) since 2007. Among 100 nominated buildings, the projects BRLO BRWHOUSE in Berlin, “Feuerstein Arena” in Schierke, as well as the Hotel & Spa “Seezeitlodge” at the Bostalsee represent GRAFT in the competition for outstanding architecture in Germany. The winners will be announced by the end of January 2019 with a festive ceremony and the opening of an exhibition in the German Museum of Architecture in Frankfurt.  All nominated projects will be published in the annual “Architekturführer Deutschland”.

For more information about the DAM Price please visit: http://www.dam-preis.de/de/

On March 22, 2018, the builders, the contractor Bauwerk Capital and the architects of GRAFT jointly celebrated the completion of the shell construction as an important milestone of the residential project WAVE Waterside Living in Stralauer Allee in Berlin.
Project developer Bauwerk Capital headquartered in Munich brought Bavarian hospitality and atmosphere to the Spree for the topping-out ceremony. The event was celebrated with a total of 200 guests.
The two-part building complex WAVE Waterside Living Berlin with 161 condominiums will be completed by spring 2019.

Photo: The Kreuzberg yodelling queen Doreen Kutzke is surrounded by Thomas Willemeit, Wolfram Putz and Lars Krückeberg, all Founding Partners of GRAFT, Jens Portale, Polier KoHa AG, Jürgen Schorn, Managing Partner Bauwerk Capital, Roderick Rauert, Managing Partner Bauwerk Development and Alexander Sälzle, Project Manager Bauwerk Development (from left to right).

© obs/Bauwerk Capital GmbH & Co. KG/conpic.net

For the third year in a row the office space turnover in Berlin, Germany has reached a new record while the rate of rentable office spaces is still sinking. How can the need be operated facing the sharpened situation and which requirements will the office of the future have to deal with?

The Real Estate Forum takes place in Hotel de Rome in Berlin. On tuesday, March the 20th Graft founding partner Thomas Willemeit will portrait the requirements and concepts for the office of the future during his lecture “Work enviroment 4.0” on the side of Ulf Buhlemann and Marcel Sedlák.

When: March, 20th, 17:00-18:30

Where: Hotel de Rome, Behrenstraße 37, 10117 Berlin

In May 2018 a huge lettering will be created as a monument for freedom in front of Berlin’s central station entrance facing Washingtonplatz. The project is part of the new “be Berlin” #FREIHEITBERLIN (FREEDOMBERLIN). As a result, the tag will become the new monument in the dimensions of 25 meters times 2,5 meters.  GRAFT will design the lettering in cooperation with GRAFT Brandlab GmbH.

Michael Müller, Governing Mayor of Berlin, Berlin Partner and local artists called all citizens of Berlin to participate and design a piece of freedom: “Berlin lives and loves freedom. We, as citizens of this beautiful city, will never forget, that peace and freedom are not always natural state. With this project, we want to commit to our self-evidence that the capital has developed through its history and place a creative landmark towards cosmopolitanism and tolerance since it’s the 28th annual of Berlin’s reunion, the same time period the wall was dividing our city.”

As a part of the project “Denk Mal an Freiheit” the three GRAFT founding Partner Lars Krückeberg, Wolfram Putz and Thomas Willemeit have a clear point of view towards the topic: “Berlin is and will be rebellious, but still searching. The art and the courage of breaking boundaries and deconstructing walls are a part of the city’s character- which is the city’s biggest potential for the future. The project #FreiheitBerlin portraits that perfectly.”

Berlin Art Bang, known for their effective project „THE HAUS“, are looking for creative co-designers for the first part of the project. Marco Bollenbach, Jörn Reiners and Kimo von Rekowski, who are part of the art collective Die Dixons, say: ”After the team of Berlin Partner told us about the project, it was obvious for us, that we have to be a part of it. Berlin is our city and we will support everyone who stands up for freedom, art, and tolerance.”

Everybody has the chance to apply and design the six letters BERLIN. There is one condition: The designs have to be adaptable on every letter and visualize the sense of freedom.

The installation will be a part of Berlin’s first Mural Festival, which will take place from May the 14^th until the 21^st, 2018.

Everyone interested can apply with their idea until April 13^th on www.be.berlin.