Name
Birth Date
Home Cell Email Max Gerber
08.02.1996
Wilhelmstraße 48, 38100 Braunschweig, Germany
+49 176 48265566
max.gerber@hamburg.de
B.Sc. Structural Engineering _ HafenCity Universität, Hamburg, Germany
B.Sc.Architecture_
Technische Universität, Braunschweig, Germany
Construction Work_
Underground Construction (1 Month) Bricklayer & Concrete Worker (2 Months)
Staff_
Symposium of the International Asscociation for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS) at HCU in Hamburg
Student Assistant_
Structural Engineering at Wetzel & von Seht in Hamburg, Germany (15 Months)
Student Assistant_
Architectural Design and Research at UK2 Architektur & Design in Hamburg, Germany (9 Months)
FullTime_
Construction Design, Site Supervision and Site Management at Grüntuch Ernst Architekten BDA in Berlin, Germany (12 Months)
Intern_
Architectural Design and Construction Design at CITYFöRSTER architecture + urbanism in Hannover, Germany (2 Months)
Student Assistant_
Institute for Design and Architectural Strategies atTU Braunschweig (2 Semesters)
AssistantTeacher_
Additive Manufacturing and Design Using Ceramic 3D Printing Institute of Structural Design atTU Braunschweig (ongoing)
Since
2023
2023
2023
CAD
Personal Blog_ www.identitecture.blog
Essays on Architecture and Design, read in 120+ countries.
Online Publication_
Additive Manufacting Using UR5 with LUTUM Endeffector: Setup
Manual For Ceramic Printing (soon at www.ite.tu-bs.de)
Client Favorite & Scholarship Winner_
Portable Reading Room by BUILDNER (with Adrián Guzmán)
Honorable Mention_ AI x Biomimicry by NeverEnoughArchitecture
Participant_
Last Nuclear Bomb Memorial by BUILDNER
Main Rhino3D + Grasshopper
Basic ArchiCad, Revit, Fusion360
Main TwinMotion
Basic Blender
Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Lightroom
MidJourney
Native
Fluent
Fluent
After graduating with a degree in structural engineering and spending a year working as an architect, gaining valuable real-world experience, I was able to ful昀椀ll my life-long dream of studying architecture proper.Three years later, I am grateful and proud to have pursued this path as I am about to formally graduate and receive my second degree in April of 2024. For me, architecture is the most holistic discipline I can imagine, combining technical know-how and artistic skills, with knowledge about psychology, sociology, and history. Personally, I would like to add poetry to this long list of elements, that in the end make up the wonderfully complex but incredibly rewarding practice of being an architect. Thinking about architecture in terms of poetic experience has helped me understand the role that our built environment plays in our understanding of self. I enjoy writing about architecture almost as much as I enjoy making it since it allows me to break even the largest project down to the scale of the individual that uses it.
昀椀nal design project | fall 2023 - spring 2024
tu braunschweig | prof. dan schürch (duplex architekten)
Braunschweig, a charming small town in the center of Germany, is ready for a new kind of architectural intervention that seamlessly blends the grandeur of a skyscraper with the vibrancy of street-level interaction.Rising up majestically, SkyHub is not merely a symbol of urban modernity but a testament to the harmonious coexistence of monumental architecture and human-scale experiences.
At its core, the building is supposed to be a dynamic creative hub, a convergence point for artists, innovators, and urban dwellers alike. The designethosrevolvesaroundthejuxtapositionofheightandculturalimpact with the revitalization of the street and square at its base. The ground 昀氀oor serves as a hub for cultural exchange, being able to accommodate a wide variety of events ranging from lectures and exhibitions to popup markets and performance art. As one ascends through SkyHub, the atmosphere evolves, transitioning from the bustling energy of the street to the quiet introspection of creative studios and workshops.The lower to mid levels of the tower are dedicated to fostering innovation and collaboration, with state-of-the-art facilities tailored to the needs of artists, designers, and entrepreneurs.These levels serve as incubators for creativity, providing a nurturing environment for ideas to 昀氀ourish and take shape.Above, the tower gives way to a series of micro-apartments, each a cozy retreat amidst the urban sprawl below. Designed with ef昀椀ciency and sustainability in mind, these compact living spaces offer residents all the comforts of modern living while maximizing resource ef昀椀ciency and minimizing environmental impact. The architecture stands as a beacon of inspiration, inviting all who encounter it to dream big while grounding itself 昀椀rmly in the lived experiences of those who call the city streets below their home.
The lot is located in the heart of Braunschweig and lies at the head of a T junction, forming an important hub between the city center, the old town square, and the western city beyond.
The architecture of the nearby medieval town square dates back to the late Gothic period and even to the Middle Ages at the old market square nearby. However, the immediate surroundings of the site are dominated by more modern buildings with gabled or 昀氀at roofs as well as the imposing presence of the Karstadt building, an obsolete department store, with its multi-storey parking lot.
20 m long, the street-facing frontage of the site is part of several routes through the city center and, due to its exposed location, is suitable for the construction of a new focal point in the west of Braunschweig‘s city center.Within the block, two inner courtyards adjoining the property form possible points of contrast to the busy street.
A building height of 20 meters is only exceeded by a few exceptions in the immediate vicinity.These include certain department stores, the large parking garage directly opposite as well as the medieval buildings on the old town square and market.
Within the Oker, the river that was made to encircle the city center, 昀椀ve churches with heights between 60 and 93 meters form the only high points. Only outside the Oker, the city‘s skyline is complemented by several other highrise buildings between 60 and 90 meters tall, so another high point in the center is not particularly obvious at 昀椀rst.
On closer inspection,however,the site‘s exposed location, surrounded by a wide variety of architecture, makes it one of the few places in the city center where a high-rise building would be neither disproportionate nor disruptive.
In order to reduce the imposing presence of a high-rise, two interlocking volumes are set back from the street.This extends the road junction into a small square, creating a pleasant place to spend time at the foot of the building.
The two structures differ visually due to their different functions,with the north-facing and therefore clearly more closed part serving its transparent counterpart and at the same time negotiating the skewed edges of the plot inside the design.
The circulation, as well as the supporting structure and building services, are located either in the service core or outside the building, so that the served structure, with its south,east and west-facing façades,can offer a consistently high-quality atmosphere inside.
The two structures are positioned in such a way that the common areas receive as much light as possible during the day, while the service core stands behind the actual building like a battery that maintains it.
The use of the serviced part is further zoned by the fact that the upper 昀氀oors are stepped.This creates a mezzanine 昀氀oor that divides the building, which, with its south-facing terrace, is suitable as an additional community and event space and at the same time acts as a natural separation between the private upper 昀氀oors and the semi-public and public lower 昀氀oors.
A café corresponding to the existing bakery at this location will be placed in front of the actual building volume to invite passers-by into the building as the 昀椀rst threshold.
In addition, the main part of the building is raised by 昀椀ve steps.These are intended to strengthen the square as a recreational area and connect the design, which initially does not appear particularly inviting due to its height, to the street space with a pleasant gesture.
Thus, the interaction with the public space happens not only through the immediate building envelope but also spatially and at different heights. As a threshold area, the porch also serves to slow down the sense of time in the hectic city center by either walking up the steps or lingering in the café before entering the actual building.
At the rear, the 昀椀rst 昀氀oor is supplemented by a further volume facing the work yard in the back. This means that the lot is completely built at street level and offers a spacious 昀椀rst 昀氀oor that is available to the public for various pop-up events such as exhibitions, workshops, or lectures.
The 20-meter-high multi-story parking lot opposite casts a dark shadow over a rather spacious pedestrian zone, which is currently only used as a transitory space.
Nestled between the parking lot and its sculptural access ramp,a small park is to be created that stands in deliberate contrast to the design and offers a pleasant atmosphere in front of the building. Green space is virtually non-existent in the center of Braunschweig, which is why the square also stands as a statement against the acceleration and sealing of the city.
Three different spatial situations are thus created around the site at street level: the public park in front of the building, the semi-public inner courtyard, which is available to residents and visitors as a protected outdoor area, and the work yard with a loading ramp behind the building. The latter is accessed via the street at the rear of the block, which means that the area in front of the building can remain a strictly pedestrian zone.
Visual complexity is not achieved by throwing many independent parts together but by the clean separation of the individual layers within the dissolved façade, which blurs the edges of the building against the sky behind it.
The semi-transparent outer skin makes the space behind the façade visible to the outside. Only like this can the building become a stage for the life that happens inside it.
roof_
Dach: Solar-Hybridkollektoren (PVT) mit W‰rmepumpen,Technik, Fassadenbefahranlage
solar-hybrid-collectors (PVT) with heat pump, building services, maintenance, façade-crane
Der Schnitt durch das Geb‰ude soll das Zusammenspiel der beiden Geb‰udeteile ¸ber den Erschlieflungskern und damit das Leben auf den einzelnen Geschossen darstellen.
the section shows the interplay between the two parts of the building via the circulation core and thus the life on the individual 昀氀oors.
living_
Wohnen:
Clusterwohnungen,Wohngemeinschaften, Mikroapartments, vollwertige Wohnungen, Maisonetten sowie bedienende R‰umlichkeiten f¸r alle Bewohner des Geb‰udes
cluster living, 昀氀at-sharing, micro-apartments, full apartments, maisonettes, including service rooms for all residents such as laundry rooms, gyms, community kitchens, etc...
Zwischengeschoss: Gemeinschaftsraum, Spieleraum, private Verantstaltungen...
Intermediate 昀氀oor_ community space, game room, private events
CreativeHUB: Workshops, B¸ros, Co-Working,Ateliers, Prober‰ume, Multimediaangebote,Werkst‰tten, Sportstudio...
creativehub_ workshops, of昀椀ces, co-working spaces, studios, rehearsel spaces, multimedia offers, gyms...
Multifunktionshalle, Zweigeschossig mit Gallerie: Ausstellungen,Vortr‰ge,Workshops....
multi-purpose lobby with mezzanine_ exhibitions, presentations, workshops...
Keller: WC, Umkleiden f¸r Mitarbeiter,Technikzentrale
basement_ toilets for employees, control centre
Streifenfundamente unten den W‰nden
Punktfundamente unter den St¸tzen
strip footing under the walls pad footing under the columds
The 4.4 m2 façade pods serve as an extension of the interior space and can transform even the smallest rooms into pleasant living areas. A room in a shared apartment, for instance, with just enough space for a bed and a wardrobe can be extended to include a reading niche, a music studio, or a private observatory. Even large apartments can be upgraded with their own sauna, home of昀椀ce, or dining area. To insert a façade pod, the tension cables of the respective bay must be cut, which does not affect the bracing or other load-bearing capacity of the building. Next, two steel beams are placed on the custom beams adjacent to the bay and 昀椀rmly screwed in place. The pod can now be placed on the beams and connected to the existing door in the façade. Finally, the tension cables are re-tensioned in front of the pod. This process is completely reversible if the use on the inside requires a change.
The groundedness of the café, extending the public square, in front of the building at street level is contrasted by the ethereal experiences awaiting on the upper levels. Whether it‘s 昀椀nding solace in a small alcove high above the rest of the city, where a good book immerses the reader in other worlds, or experiencing a creative breakthrough in a light昀氀ooded studio, the design of SkyHub fosters moments of inspiration and introspection for each participant. The pods,seamlessly integrated into the spatial façade, transcend the hard separation between inside and outside, becoming symbols of the creative process outgrowing its boundaries. They proudly present themselves to the public,inviting onlookers to witness the fusion of artistry and architecture.
concert hall + music school with León Garcia construction design | fall 2022 - spring 2023 tu braunschweig | prof. dr.-ing. harald kloft
This project aims to expand Braunschweig‘s School of Music by adding a concert hall and additional classrooms.The objective is for the site to gain prominence and become the new cultural focus in the city‘s center.
A site analysis revealed that the music school exhibits an extroverted character facing the street and an introverted character towards the adjacent park and the Oker River. This atmospheric gradient with the classicalbuildingoftheexistingschoolasananchorpointistobepreserved as much as possible. In order not to overshadow the magni昀椀cent villa, the programs are divided into two smaller buildings that gently blend into the park landscape, creating a dynamic campus. As an alternative to the noisy Wolfenbüttler Straße, a bridge will be built to the other side of the river, which will lead pedestrians and cyclists through the campus and thus increase its public appeal. In this respect, it is also essential that all uses are planned to be barrier-free and sustainable.While the buildings are harmoniously placed into the park landscape,their design is based on the principle of contrasts picking up on the tangible tension between the tranquillity of the park and the dynamics of the music.The architectural basis for the design is the Japanese wood connection Chidori. While mainly used in furniture construction, here it serves as the essential component of the building‘s load-bearing structure.Three wooden rods are inserted into each other with the last one being screwed in to create a 昀椀xed connection.The elegant plug-in system therefore dispenses with any connecting elements and can be prefabricated in the factoryThe dissolved timber structure with its translucent polycarbonate 昀椀lling creates a Japanese-style pavilion, whose soft light stands symbolic of the passion of music.
(not translated)
Sohle / Fundament:
1. Gewachsener Boden
2. Stahlbetonsohle
3. Stb.-Streifendundament
4. Sockel, unbewehrter Beton
5. Schüttung
6. Abgedichtete Rohre für Luftzirkulation
7. Trennschicht
8. Sohldämmung,
9. Randstreifen
10. Feuchtigkeitssperre
11. Schwimmender Estrich
12. Fertigbetonboden
13.Ab昀氀ussrinne
14. Stützenfuß
15. Gummiabdichtung
16. Chidori-Modul, 6x6cm Vollholz
17. Polycarbonat
18. Pressleiste, Holz
Fenster:
19. Fensterrahmen, Holz
20. Feuchtigkeitssperre, eingeklemmt
21. Festverglasung, 3-Fach
22. Holzpro昀椀l mit Abdeckblech zur Wasserableitung
Innenwand:
23. CLT-Wandscheibe, 25cm
24.VerdeckterVerbinder (Schub, Zug), Stahl, befestigt mit Betonschrauben und Stabdübeln
25.Wandaufbau:ArgillaTherm Trockenbausystem Riviera
26. Putzabschlusspro昀椀l
27. Schattenfuge
28. Randstreifen
29.Verbindung Wand - Rippendecke entweder Kreuzverschraubt oder Stahlverbinder
30.Verdeckte Schiebepaneele, Führung in Aussparung in CLT-Wand
Geschossdecke:
31. CLT-Hohlkastendecke, best wood CLT Box
32. Holz-UK,Vollholz
33.Trittschalldämmung
34. Abdeckplatte, Holzwerkstoff
35. Holzparkett
36. Randsteifen
37. Abschlussplatte, Holzwerkstoff
Rippendecke:
38. CLT-Rippendecke, 70cm
39.Abdeckplatte aus Holz (MSR im Zwischenraum)
40. Chidori-Abhangdecke mit Beleuchtung im Konzertsaal
Dachaufbau:
41. Querlattung zur Aufnahme der Dachschräge, Vollholz
42. Konterlattung längs,Vollholz
43. Abdeckplatte, Holzwerkstoff
44.Wasserführende Dichtungsbahn, Bitumen
45. Kehldichtkeil
46. Abdeckbleche
47.Trapezblech fein, z.B. PRECIT
48. Pro昀椀lfüller
49. Abtropfblech
50. Innenliegende Dachrinne
51. Fallrohr
Chidori-Module
50x50x50cm,Timber 60x60mm stainless steel connectors (only pressure)
CLT Rib Panel, F60
Dimensioned with Schneider Bautabellen für Architekten for max. length 1320cm: h = 700mm
Product: best wood CLT BOX, F60, C24, GL 24h
Dimensioned with the product‘s dimensioning aid for max. length single span beam: 1075cm: 340mm < h < 480mm 80< b <120mm depending on loading condition
CLT Wall Panel, F60 b = 25cm depending on loading condition ε
Contrast
As you enter,you are welcomed into a transition zone where you can physically experience the interwoven wooden structure before being ledintothespaciousfoyer.Onceinside,thetensionofthedesignbecomes apparent,astheexternallightnessissuddenlyjuxtaposedwithamassive monolith.The sculptural clay walls of the concert hall with adjoining function rooms can be walked around completely on both 昀氀oors, whereby visitors 昀椀nd themselves in ever-changing spatial atmospheres.
Roof
Temperature Regulation
- PC Buffer Zone
CLT-Ceiling-System
- Rip Panel
- Box Element
Vertical Structure
- Hybrid-Wall-System
- Chidori-Module
Both for aesthetic and sustainability reasons, the design doesn‘t use traditional insulation materials to regulate the temperature inside.
Instead, the outer layer of the twopart Chidori façade is sealed with translucent polycarbonate to create a circumferential buffer zone that can be programmed to exchange air with the outside during summer and channel it from the warmer side to colder parts of the building during winter.
In addition, the building is heated from the inside by its monolithic core, whose walls contain a water-based heating system that can dynamically emit heat in all directions.
Surrounding Buffer Zone
Return via pipes below the concrete 昀氀oor
Polycarbonate Insulation
Wooden Strip
Water-Based Clay Wall Heating System
Product:ArgillaTherm Lehmklima
Dry Construction System Riviera
- CLT Wall Panel, 25cm
- High-Performance Clay Modules
- Heating Pipe
- Haga Clay Plaster System
- Base Mortar
- Embedding Mortar
- Mineral Plaster Primer
- Fine Plaster, Sculpted
portable reading room with Adrián Guzmán international idea competition by buildner | summer 2023 client‘s favorite & scholarship winner
The annual Portable Reading Rooms architecture competition is seeking designs for a small structure that could be embedded within existing public spaces in multiple locations around the world.The reading rooms function as an intimate meditative space in which people can read and exchange books. The structure itself needs to be highly versatile and portable so that it can be located in various locations.
The character of LugarAislado is supposed to be temporal and ephemeral, yet easy to understand. The increasingly high standards of sustainability make it necessary for the structure to be easily dismountable and reusable, without requiring expert knowledge.The primary load-bearing structure achieves this by applying a plug-in system without the need for any tools whatsoever. An added bene昀椀t is the adaptability of the system. Depending on the size of the desired structure, the wooden pieces can be cut accordingly, resulting in an in昀椀nite amount of design possibilities without complicating the construction process.The skeletal structure on the inside also allows for greater design freedom for the façade.
The book exchange box is one of the crucial features of the design,linking the lives of countless people, sharing the bond of having traveled to the same imaginary places and coming out of their experience with entirely different memories and emotions. Once a book is read, it is meant to be passed on for someone else to randomly stumble over it.The book exchange box can be locked from both sides if needed since the rest of the space is entirely open to the public. To encourage spontaneity, there are four wall-mounted bicycle racks on the opposite side of the book box for people to quickly stop by and have a look inside, without having to search for a place to leave their bike.
a lyrical exploration of lugar aislado
As our relationship with the physical world is becoming increasingly transitory, the siren call for escaping the daily grind leaves us longing for the sacred hiding spaces our souls once knew.
As children, every nook and cranny would do, the smaller the better, as we embarked on a trip elsewhere, not knowing what we would 昀椀nd.We would get lost in daydreams, only to return to the real world with energy and vigor to keep exploring as we had done in our imagination so many times before.
By establishing a safe space for our dreams, these hiding places allow us to open up and explore the world beyond, without the fear of losing ourselves. From the time we are toddlers, we trust them with our subconsciousness while the consciousness ventures out in search of meaning and growth. Only our intimate relationship with these spaces as well as the many lives we’ve lived inside them, allow us to come back safely and deal with the chaotic maelstrom of the physical world around us.
As we grow older, however, and choose to untangle the relationship between memory and imagination, we begin to distance ourselves from these spaces. As a result, our attachment to the real world, with its hedonistic attitude towards constant stimulation has led us to forget the true nature of intimacy.
To protect ourselves,we begin to embrace the anonymity of the modern world.Reading helps us to escape from the kafkaesque struggles of existence and is thus metaphorically related to architecture in its capacity to act as a catalyst for daydreams.This alone, spells out the need for a public space, an island of calm, for people to use and take advantage of at their leisure.
A reader is not far from a dreamer, in that they both live thousands of lives within a single lifetime. For many, even the simple habit of reading a couple of pages every day is dif昀椀cult to maintain, and thus even greater the need for it.The train hasn’t left yet, some of us just need some help to 昀椀nd our way to the station; a safe space that holds our dreams and our imagination while not constricting us in a way that the rest of the world already does. Lugar Aislado wants to be such a place, standing stubbornly in your way when you are too stressed to look up.An invitation, polite but 昀椀rm, to leave the fast lane for a short while, grab a book, and escape.
1. Primary load-bearing structure: Chidori-system
2. Floor boards
3. Battens
4. Door Frame
5. Bookshelves
6. Façade mounting-system
7. Perforated metal-façade
8. Frame, Book Exchange Box
Façade mounting system:The metal mesh is easily dismountable and merely requires a drill to put together.
The shelves are made up of loose wooden boards with their edges cut out, that can be placed inside the load bearing Chidori-structure. No tools are required.
a new and improved brick design using additive manufacturing
3D ceramic printing studio | fall 2023 - spring 2024 tu braunschweig | prof. dr. norman hack
Living Wall is a pioneering design at the intersection of architecture, sustainability, and nature-centric design. Rooted in a profound reimagining of conventional building practices, the project seeks to rede昀椀ne the relationship between built environments and the natural world. At its core, Living Wall seeks to transcend the mere construction of physical structures to embrace a holistic ethos of living harmoniously with nature. It challenges the traditional notion of walls as rigid barriers, envisioning them instead as dynamic ecosystems that foster interconnectedness with the surrounding environment.
The central focus of the course was the utilization of advanced additive manufacturingtechnologies,speci昀椀cally3Dceramicprinting,torevolutionize the use of traditional building materials such as clay. By harnessing the capabilities of cutting-edge fabrication techniques, the project aims to unlock new horizons in architectural design while prioritizing sustainability and environmental stewardship.The design exempli昀椀es this ethos through its innovative features and functionalities. Each brick is conceived not merely as a static component of a façade but as a living entity, capable of nurturing plant life and fostering biodiversity.The perforated façade design not only serves as a structural element but also facilitates the integration of vegetation, blurring the boundaries between architecture and nature. From the materials used to the construction methods employed, every decision is informed by a commitment to minimizing environmental impact and maximizing resource ef昀椀ciency. By leaving behind traditional cementbased construction in favor of biodegradable materials and leveraging parametric design principles to optimize form and function, the project sets a new standard for eco-conscious architecture.
air circlulation without Living Wall
air circlulation with Living Wall
A circular tube joint forms the intersection of the layers where a rod can be fed through from top to bottom.Rodsaresecuredinthegroundbeforehand after which the bricks are threaded through one by one from above. This way the construction is stable since horizontal forces due to wind are minimized by the spaces in between the bricks. Additionally, the connection will be hidden once the bricks are 昀椀lled with soil. Next is the irrigation system. Since each brick can be considered a tiny small plant pot, it is crucial to prevent the water from pooling at the bottom. Also, it would be rather impractical to water each brick individually. To solve this problem, there are four small trickle holes located next to the joints where the bricks overlap.These holes are also hidden and allow the water to trickle down the whole wall once the soil in each layer is saturated. This way, the wall can be irrigated from above and even by rain without certain layers staying dry and others being too wet.
The roots will grow through the trickle holes as well as through tiny holes in the joints where they will, at some point, form the connectivetissuebetweenthebricks.Thisway,alivingecosystem is created that communicates and can send nutrients from one side to the other through a network of interconnected roots. For this to work, there need to exist entry points in the cylindrical joint for the roots to grow through. This is achieved by a startstop algorithm for the extrusion which leaves out certain path points on every other layer. The resulting gap is partially 昀椀lled by the clay drooping down from the next layer above, leaving slits just big enough for the roots to 昀椀t through.
Both parametric design technologies and automated production processes are used to take advantage of and explore the newfound possibilities of the recent advancements in 3D printing with clay and ceramics. The weaved pattern is a result of two wave curves, superimposed and shifted by half a wavelength.
In order to show the possibilities of the parametric design process, a pattern of circular attractor curves has been applied to one side of the entire model, introducing another level of scale and connecting the individual bricks through the pattern.
Pattern 1
Pattern 2
Weaved
Pattern
selected examples
Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to gain valuable real-world experience in almost all phases of architectural design,from initial research to actual construction and everything in between. I have made it a point to seek out work opportunities whenever my schedule would allow it, working alongside my university studies as well as in between semesters. The following is a chronological overview of my experiences in the 昀椀eld.
3 months, full time:
15 months, part-time:
9 months, part-time:
12 months, full-time:
2 months, full-time:
3 semesters, part-time:
Construction as a mason, concrete worker, and general construction worker
Structural Engineering
Research, architectural design, and communication with structural engineer
Construction design, site supervision, site management, and quality control
Architectural design and construction design
Teaching tutorials and full courses as assistant teacher
The reason for the fragmentation in my job history is that I always and only worked whenever my workload at university would allow it. Having gone back to studying at 24 years of age, after working for an entire year, I felt that I needed to give it everything I had in order to make it count.
Having had a peek into the various phases of the business,I can con昀椀dently say that architectural design, including the research leading up to it, the problem-solving aspects, and the creative freedom have to be my favorite parts of being an architect.
what where when who tasks
High-end commercial real estate
Budapester Straße 35, Berlin
Oct. 2019 - Sept. 2020
Grüntuch Ernst Architekten BDA, Berlin
Construction management, supervision, quality control (condition assessment, acceptance, etc.)
Communication with investors, general planning, contractors, and clients
Design and implementation of construction details
what when who tasks
Expanding tiny house on wheels
Jan. 2019 - Sept.. 2019
UK2 Urban Architecture, Hamburg
Research into the rules and regulations concerning the design, posession, and use of motorized tiny homes in Germany
Design of an expanding tiny house on wheels
what when who tasks
Assisting in the planning and realization of various projects
Aug. 2022 - Sept. 2022
CITYFöRSTER architecture + urbanism, Hannover
Construction design for a nearly 昀椀nished commercial project
Building a model (image on the right) for a competition based on the existing design (on the left)
Translating a design into a CAD model using ArchiCAD for realization
Wrinting a pr column for LinkedIn
I believe that the experience of architecture, like any other experience, is subjective and creating those spatial experiences, textures, and memories is a form of poetry that transcends the merely physical aspects of reality.
In 2021, I decided to turn my passion for architecture and writing into a long-term project. Since this is my platform, I can publish whatever I want and share it with the world. My way of processing and learning about something has always been by writing. I don‘t write articles, since I am not a journalist, but essays.An essay, for me, is a form of thinking on the page, of distilling information and making connections. One day, I hope these thoughts bear fruit through my practice as an architect.
www.indentitecture.blog
As we write, so we build. To keep a record of what matters to us. The fear of forgetting anything precious can trigger in us the wish to raise a structure, like a paperweight to hold down our memories.
~ Alain de Botton
Human perception, reasoning, and imagination are visually dominated, which generally re昀氀ects in our most prized cultural efforts, such as art and architecture. If we add to this notion our need to rigidly structure our immediate physical and ideological environments in order to make sense of the fundamentally chaotic nature of existence, it explains society‘s proclivity to fall back on the sense of vision as the primary driver for cultural progress. What most architects and policymakers fail to take into account, however, is that this crude simpli昀椀cation of society and human nature comes with serious drawbacks, such as the global mental health crisis as well as the 昀氀attening of sensual experiences in cities across the globe.
„My body is truly the navel of my world,“ wrote the Finnish architect Juhani Pallasmaa, meaning that our understanding of Self is deeply rooted in our tactile experience of being-here. Architecture has the task of compartmentalizing the vast and essentially meaningless mental space we all exist in in order to help us make sense of our place within the real world...
There is no doubt that architecture, like most professions, has historically been white male-dominated. However, while other industries may have had to be beaten into submission by the social pressures of the 21st century, the architectural practice seems liberated by the in昀氀ux of new ideas and perspectives into the public discourse. Constantly torn between concerns of activism and capitalism, architecture acts as the negotiator between the extremes but only recently has been given permission to represent and 昀椀ght for the concerns of those previously marginalized.
To understand what true equality and justice look like, we 昀椀rst need to recognize that diversity alone has little to no impact and is generally used to cover up deeply rooted discrimination policies. When diversity is being a part of the team, inclusion is being in the game. This is where the issue becomes far more complicated than mere statistics. It’s not about which people are being represented but what in昀氀uence they are allowed to have. Although still far from perfect, I believe that architecture can provide a new and updated HOW-TO guide on challenging the selective blindness, phony tokenism, and outright discrimination that remain the signature of our time...