Am 16. September wurde der offizielle Spatenstich für das Neubauprojekt der GBO am alten Güterbahnhof in Offenbach gefeiert. Mit dabei waren der Hessische Wirtschaftsminister Kaweh Mansoori, unser Geschäftsführer Herbert Elfers sowie Mitglieder unseres Projektteams.

Nach unserer Planung entsteht auf dem ehemaligen Güterbahnhof ein vielseitiges Gebäude mit 67 barrierearmen Wohnungen – darunter Wohnraum für große Familien sowie für Menschen mit Rollstuhl oder Rollator. Hinzu kommen eine Kindertagesstätte für rund 100 Kinder, ein Treffpunkt für ältere Bewohnerinnen und Bewohner sowie ein gemeinschaftlich nutzbarer Pavillon auf dem Dach.

Für unser Team ist der Spatenstich ein besonderer Meilenstein: Nach intensiver Planungsarbeit nimmt das gemeinsam mit der GBO und allen Projektbeteiligten entwickelte Gebäude nun sichtbar Gestalt an. Wir freuen uns, das Projekt auch in der Bauphase weiter zu begleiten.

On 14^th September 2026, at our ‘Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr Olympic Bid’ Future Panel in Darmstadt, we discussed the future of buildings and neighbourhoods with friends and business partners.

Herbert Elfers presented our concept for the Olympic Stadium and the Olympic Village in Cologne as part of the Olympic bid by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and provided insights into the planning considerations behind it. The focus was on how the temporary requirements of the Olympic and Paralympic Games can be reconciled with long-term urban development – and how the structures created for this purpose can be transformed into vibrant, permanent urban elements.

This was followed by a fascinating discussion on how we can plan today in such a way that buildings and neighbourhoods are also able to respond to the demands of tomorrow. We rounded off the evening together with a glass of wine on our terraces.

Many thanks to everyone who attended, joined in the discussion and shared their perspectives!

On 10^th September 2026, we took part in an architectural walk through the Westflügel neighbourhood in Frankfurt’s Riedberg district. Together with Mr Schick from Lechner Immobilien, we explored the neighbourhood and gained insights into its origins and development.

In many places, it was clear just how extensively planquadrat was involved in the planning and realisation of the neighbourhood. It was particularly interesting to have the opportunity to view some of the buildings from the inside and to experience the different architectural concepts first-hand.

The tour offered fascinating professional insights and the chance for personal discussion. Many thanks to everyone involved for a successful afternoon.

In glorious sunshine and perfect conditions, planquadrat took part in the 10-Friends Triathlon in Darmstadt on 6^th September 2026 with a dedicated team. Together, our colleagues tackled the swimming, cycling and running stages, demonstrating not only sporting ambition but, above all, genuine team spirit.

From the first to the last discipline, the focus was on mutual support, motivation and plenty of good humour. The perfect weather, the fantastic atmosphere along the route and the strong sense of camaraderie made this year’s ‘Datterich’ a truly special experience.

We are proud of our colleagues’ outstanding performance and would like to thank all participants for their efforts. It was an all-round successful day that once again demonstrated what we can achieve together. We are already looking forward to taking part again next time!

Affordable housing is in short supply, construction and rental costs are rising, and cities are growing. Against this backdrop, our Managing Director Herbert Elfers joined other experts on 2^nd September at the 9^th Mainz Architecture Quartet in the Christuskirche in Mainz to discuss the question: How can we achieve attractive, affordable and sustainable housing?

The focus was on four completed housing projects in Mainz and Mainz-Kastel – ranging from a hybrid timber residential tower with a nursery, through classic perimeter-block developments, to housing at the Zollhafen and in the Heilig-Kreuz quarter. These provided the starting point for a discussion on how density and quality of living, affordability, social aspects and sustainable neighbourhood development can be considered together.

Alongside Herbert Elfers, Katja Heijnen from SWR, Prof. Mario Tvrtkovic and Prof. Astrid Wuttke took part in the panel discussion. The ‘Architekturquartett’ is organised by the Mainz City/Mainz-Bingen District Group of the Rhineland-Palatinate Chamber of Architects and the Rhineland-Palatinate Werkbund.

On 26^th June, the KölnRheinRuhr bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Games was presented at the Flora in Cologne. In front of representatives of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), the leading Olympic federations, and guests from the worlds of politics, business and sport, those in charge outlined the key elements of the bid. Speakers included, amongst others, North Rhine-Westphalia’s Minister-President Hendrik Wüst, Cologne’s Lord Mayor Torsten Burmester, and representatives of the participating cities and institutions.

Our Managing Director, Herbert Elfers, outlined the vision for the stadium and the Olympic and Paralympic Village in the north of Cologne. The concept views the Olympic and Paralympic Games as the starting point for long-term urban development. An athletics stadium, the Olympic and Paralympic Village and a new urban district are to be built around Kreuzfeld and Chorweiler.

Photos: LSB NRW / Andrea Bowinkelmann

We are pleased to have once again been awarded the EcoVadis Bronze Medal this year.

EcoVadis assesses companies’ sustainability management across four areas: environment, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. With the Bronze Medal, planquadrat ranks among the top 35% of companies assessed by EcoVadis over the past twelve months.

For us, this renewed recognition is both an acknowledgement and an incentive to continuously develop our sustainability management.

In summery temperatures, this year’s planquadrat summer tour took us to Würzburg. Staff from all our offices travelled there together in three coaches and explored the historic old town on a guided tour. Afterwards, we enjoyed the view of the Main and the surrounding vineyards whilst having a drink on the Alte Mainbrücke.

To recharge our batteries, we enjoyed a hearty Franconian lunch right by the Main, before the day drew to a relaxed close in the park with ice cream, games and a creative postcard activity. Our outing offered plenty of opportunities for personal encounters, good conversations and exchanges across our various sites – and that’s exactly what makes for a successful office outing.

The 2026 Merck Company Run was once again a wonderful shared experience: a total of 11 colleagues took part yesterday, and despite the rather chilly temperatures, the atmosphere was excellent throughout. Starting from the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor, the route led, as usual, through the nearby woodland and offered ideal conditions for a sporting evening in a relaxed atmosphere.

For our team, the focus was above all on being together. Spectators along the route provided extra motivation, and at the finish line, everyone’s joy at having taken part together was palpable. Many thanks to our participants, who got active together and added a sporting dimension to their everyday office life for a change.

At this year’s polis Convention 2026 in Düsseldorf, leading figures from the fields of urban development, architecture, the property sector and local authorities once again came together to discuss the future of urban spaces.

planquadrat’s management team – comprising Herbert Elfers, Claudia Becker, Constanze Gräff and Matthias Wöber – attended the trade fair and the accompanying conference, taking the opportunity to gain first-hand insight into current trends, innovative concepts and exciting projects.

The face-to-face discussions and the fresh ideas on sustainable neighbourhood development, urban transformation and the liveable cities of tomorrow proved particularly valuable.

Our Managing Director, Claudia Becker, spoke on 24^th March at digitalBAU in Cologne about the potential of modular construction. Under the title ‘Flexible, Fast, Sustainable’, she demonstrated how serial and modular approaches can provide solutions to current challenges such as rising construction costs, a shortage of skilled labour and stringent regulatory requirements.

The focus was on the advantages of industrialised construction processes – from shorter construction times to greater cost certainty – as well as the opportunities they present in terms of design and urban planning. At the same time, the presentation made it clear that modular construction is not a panacea, but rather demonstrates its strengths when combined with conventional construction methods and a well-thought-out urban planning framework.

Robert Müller and Claudia Becker have been admitted to the Association of German Architects (BDA). Their induction recognises their professional expertise and their commitment to high-quality architecture and urban development. At the same time, it underlines their shared commitment to actively advancing building culture and helping to shape professional discourse.

We are delighted by this appointment and the resulting further strengthening of our presence within the BDA.

On 5^th February 2026, the Future Panel ‘CO₂- and Resource-Efficient Construction with Concrete’ took place as a hybrid event, held in person in Darmstadt and online. The speaker was Michael Scharpf, Head of Sustainable Construction at Holcim, who presented the current outlook for sustainable construction with concrete.

The focus was on the construction industry’s carbon footprint, climate-friendly cements and concretes, and approaches to resource-conscious planning. Finally, a Q&A session provided an opportunity for exchange and discussion with the participants. The Future Panel thus served as inspiration to further develop sustainable solutions in concrete construction and to drive them forward together with our partners.

The topping-out ceremony for the new MTV-West development marked an important milestone in the development of Heidelberg’s Südstadt neighbourhood. Among the guests were numerous project stakeholders, as well as Heidelberg’s Lord Mayor, Prof. Dr Eckart Würzner, who emphasised the project’s significance for the city. Eight buildings are being constructed on three building plots, comprising a total of 122 flats and around 1,100 square metres of commercial space. The project complements Mark Twain Village by providing modern, affordable housing to suit a variety of lifestyles – ranging from compact two-room flats to spacious family homes and loft flats.

Our design, which we developed as lead planners during service phases 1–7, combines point blocks and terraced buildings to form a striking yet harmonious neighbourhood layout. Light-coloured rendered and clinker brick façades, energy-efficient construction, photovoltaic systems, green roofs and rainwater retention represent a sustainable and forward-looking residential concept. Completion is scheduled for spring 2027.

Photo: GGH/Christian Buck

On 24^th January, Hofmann Haus GmbH invited local residents and interested parties to the launch of the CASTELLO project on Steinackerstraße in Ober-Ramstadt. The multi-family residential building, designed by planquadrat during service phases 1–5 and divided into two sections, offers 22 modern flats, 13 of which are accessible, and blends harmoniously into the new neighbourhood.

On the narrow plot, a four-storey, articulated structure is taking shape, designed with a focus on lightness and greenery. Floor-to-ceiling windows, green façades and natural-looking communal areas ensure a high quality of living, whilst the enclosed structure also provides sound insulation for the neighbourhood.

2025 was a year of transformation for planquadrat. High-quality architecture combined with technical expertise characterise our day-to-day work; two architectural practices have joined forces with us. We have also welcomed a growing number of projects and fantastic colleagues.

We are therefore particularly delighted that, in October, we expanded our management team to include Steffen Baumgärtner, Franciska Bösz, Hannah Geskes, Constanze Gräff and Matthias Wöber.

This enables us to spread the wide range of project ideas, initiatives and specialist expertise across more people, and to design architecture for our clients competently and with agility. We look forward to 2026 with great optimism, given the significant opportunities ahead.

The foundation stone has been laid for the Marienhöfe urban quarter in Berlin-Tempelhof. This joint project by CollignonArchitektur, Goldbeck, Hines and the Semer family will create around 900 new flats on the site of the former Mariendorf freight station.

With a sustainable mix of affordable, subsidised and senior-friendly housing, complemented by retail, services and a central cycle route, a vibrant, future-proof neighbourhood is taking shape, for which a DGNB Platinum pre-certificate is being sought.

On 6^th November, our project ‘Junges Wohnen am Brunnenplatz’ was presented to the local council in Mainz-Lerchenberg. In the immediate vicinity of the ZDF and complementing a shopping centre built in the 1970s, 348 subsidised student flats are being built, along with a full-service supermarket and a chemist’s. The aim of the project, which is being realised by the investor Triagon, is to provide new impetus for the revitalisation of an existing site on a comparatively small plot of land. The square in front of the development, featuring the disc-shaped fountain designed by Prof. Wilfried Elfers in 1981, will be spatially redefined and aesthetically enhanced as part of the project.

The concept views urban density as an opportunity. A high yet appropriate level of density enables short distances, a vibrant mix of uses and encourages everyday interaction. It is an essential prerequisite for sustainable and economically viable construction and offers the prospect of developing the site in a way that is fit for the future.

Our entry for the MU South development site within the US Hospital site in Heidelberg was awarded second place in a multi-commission competition. The car-free neighbourhood on the southern outskirts of the city is accessed via a central neighbourhood car park. Our design combines a supermarket, library and café on the ground floor, with 61 flats built using a modular construction method above. The designed block structure, featuring colonnades and green courtyards, creates a vibrant connection to the adjacent park and the listed existing buildings. With a space efficiency of 80 per cent, our concept sets new standards for cost-effective and sustainable living at the new entrance to the neighbourhood.

At the beginning of November, the HÖFE-N residential quarter on Rauhäckerstraße in Nuremberg-Höfen – a project by Bermüller+Niemeyer – was officially handed over. Together with Lord Mayor Marcus König, ECKPFEILER Immobilien Gruppe and BayernHeim, this marked an important milestone for the new urban quarter.

Five buildings with a total of 116 residential units have been constructed on the approximately 7,900 m² site, comprising a mix of privately financed, subsidised and owner-occupied housing. The architectural concept is based on a timber-hybrid construction built to the KfW 40 standard. Landscaped courtyards and generous glazing create a pleasant living environment. The project has been awarded DGNB Silver certification.

Construction has begun on a new apartment block on Hindenburgstraße in Erlangen. The project, developed by Bermüller+Niemeyer, features a variety of floor plans and is architecturally integrated into the cityscape with precision. Fifteen individual flats are being built, characterised by their clean design and high-quality materials.

On 17^th October, the Strenger Awards 2025 were presented in Ludwigsburg. Under the motto ‘Affordability as a mantra’, over 230 Strenger partners from Germany and across Europe came together to celebrate shared successes and set the course for the future.

The award presented to our Berlin site manager, Franciska Bösz, who received a prize as an “outstanding planning partner”, was a particular source of delight. This recognition symbolises the close and trusting partnership with Strenger, which has grown through openness, reliability and a shared passion for architecture with character.

With a total of eleven colleagues from the Executive Board, senior management and the Berlin and Nuremberg offices, planquadrat was well represented at Expo Real in Munich in early October.

The focus of the fair included solutions for affordable and modular housing, new construction concepts, and innovative approaches to the regeneration and use of existing properties. The recently approved ‘Bauturbo’ initiative was also a much-discussed topic, designed to enable faster and more efficient planning and construction processes in future.

In addition, Sophie Bermüller took part in a panel discussion on the regeneration of neighbourhoods, which focused on experimental approaches and sustainable solutions for the development of future-proof urban districts. Overall, the fair was characterised by a predominantly positive atmosphere and a clear signal of a new beginning for the construction and property sectors.

The project on Adam-Treber-Weg in Hochheim am Main gained momentum with the ground-breaking ceremony in January – and the topping-out ceremony was celebrated as early as 26 September. The impressive pace demonstrated the strengths of modular construction: quality, efficiency and precision. The result is a 5,300 m² development comprising 69 residential units and a multi-purpose hall – and a significant contribution to affordable housing and vibrant urban development.

On 10^th September, our managing director Herbert Elfers presented the concept for a modular athletics stadium with an adjacent Olympic and Paralympic village in the Rhine-Ruhr region to the German Bundestag's Sports Committee during a public meeting on the four candidate ideas for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Germany.

One day later, he also had the opportunity to present the concept at the Federal Chancellery to the Minister of State to the Federal Chancellor and Federal Government Commissioner for Volunteering and Sport, Dr Christiane Schenderlein, together with the State Secretary for Sport and Volunteering in the North Rhine-Westphalian State Chancellery, Andrea Milz, and the President of the North Rhine-Westphalian State Sports Federation, Stefan Klett.

The stadium will seat 50,000 spectators during the Games and is designed for flexible interim use. After the competitions, it can be converted into a lively urban quarter with apartments, offices, daycare centres and green spaces. Inspired by ancient sports venues, the concept combines sustainable urban development with resource conservation, climate protection and social diversity.

The Fuji Yama restaurant project by our colleagues in Nuremberg impresses with a unique interior concept: over 2,400 CNC-milled spruce wood slats and sustainable felt elements made from recycled PET create a sculptural spatial effect that creates ever-changing atmospheres depending on the light and time of day.

The successful combination of Japanese aesthetics and contemporary design makes Fuji Yama an architectural highlight – so much so that it is featured in the arte series on the best bar designs worldwide. The TV broadcast is on Sunday, 21^st September at 9:20 a.m. – but if you don't want to get up that early, you can also find it in the media library.

What a day! In perfect late summer weather, planquadrat had 11 colleagues at the start of the 10-Friends Triathlon in Darmstadt on 7^th September. Together, they battled their way through the swimming pool, the cycling course and the running laps – always with lots of fun and mutual support.

The focus was less on achieving the best time and more on the shared experience. The laughter, cheering and a little bit of excitement before the start made this year's ‘Datterich’ another great event. We are incredibly proud of our team and are already looking forward to competing again next year!

On 29^th August, this year's office outing took us to the Rhine. After arriving in Assmannshausen, we took the chairlift uphill, where a magnificent view and a small, spontaneous wine tasting awaited us. A group photo at the Niederwald Monument was a must, as was lunch together in Rüdesheim and a stroll through the Drosselgasse. The day ended with a relaxing boat trip back down the Rhine.

The trip offered many opportunities for conversation and enjoyable moments together, and it strengthened our team spirit in a special way. With many impressions and good spirits, we look back on an all-round successful day.

The Wohnhof in Mainz-Kastel celebrated its 30^th anniversary with a cheerful family party. Completed in 1995, the project was our office's first work and also marked the founding of planquadrat by Herbert Elfers, Martin Geskes and Jörg Krämer.

To this day, the Wohnhof is considered a pioneering model for communal and sustainable building. At the time, eight families realised the idea of combining individual living with a strong community. The heart of the complex is the central glass hall, which serves as a communication hub and offers space for encounters, play and joint activities. Flexible floor plans make it possible to adapt the houses to the different stages of life of the residents. Remarkably, almost all of the families who moved in in 1995 still live here today – impressive proof of the sustainability of the concept, which combines social, ecological and economic aspects in a unique way.

We warmly congratulate the residents on this anniversary and are delighted that our first project has lost none of its relevance and appeal after three decades.

At the annual Industrial Construction Congress organised by Heuer Dialog on 16 and 17 September 2025 in Berlin, our managing director Claudia Becker will demonstrate how modular construction methods are opening up new possibilities for cities and neighbourhoods. In her presentation ‘Urban Development, Neighbourhoods and Buildings – Growing In and Out with Modular Construction,’ she will take a practical look at how innovative construction processes can overcome challenges such as cost, time and sustainability.

The programme offers further highlights: sustainable urban development, resource-saving materials, digitalisation and inspiring practical examples from residential construction. Discussion rounds and panels will show how automation and cooperation are advancing industrial construction.

More information and registration can be found here.

Sometimes new approaches are needed to overcome major challenges. At the 4^th DBZ Modular Construction Congress in Darmstadt, the focus was therefore on modular construction - a method that can respond more quickly, flexibly and resource-efficiently to the increasing demand for housing.

In her presentation, our Managing Director Claudia Becker explained how affordable and sustainable living space can be created through the close integration of urban planning, land-use planning and architecture. She gave a practical demonstration of the role that modular construction methods play in the realisation of such projects.

The congress was characterised by inspiring discussions, new impulses and the common goal of finding innovative ways for the building of tomorrow. We would like to thank the DBZ and all participants for the successful event and are delighted to be part of this development.

On 1^st July, Managing Director Herbert Elfers presented the ‘Come to stay - Olympia becomes a city’ concept to the National Sports Federations in Aachen in the presence of Minister President Hendrik Wüst.

The modular athletics stadium is only an intermediate stage on the way to sustainable urban development. The stadium, which will provide space for 50,000 spectators during the Olympic and Paralympic Games, has been designed from the outset in such a way that it can be flexibly developed further after the Games. Together with the buildings of the Olympic Village and other infrastructure, it forms the starting point for a new, lively urban quarter with flats, offices, day-care centres and generous green spaces. This will create sustainable added value for the region that will extend far beyond the Games.

We are pleased to have been awarded the EcoVadis Bronze Medal.

EcoVadis assesses companies’ sustainability management across four areas: environment, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. With the Bronze Medal, planquadrat ranks among the top 35% of companies assessed by EcoVadis over the past twelve months.

For us, this recognition is both an acknowledgement and an incentive to continuously develop our sustainability management.

The Day of Architecture will take place in Hesse on 28^th and 29^th June. We invite all interested parties to get to know our Hahner Mitte project in Taunusstein by kwb Rheingau-Taunus GmbH as part of a guided tour.

Hahner Mitte was built on the former railway station site in the heart of Hahn, close to the town hall and community centre. The new neighbourhood comprises eight apartment buildings with 58 residential units (57 of which are subsidised), an office building, a restaurant, a police station and an underground car park. The project was based on an urban planning framework concept that was developed together with citizens, the city, the trade association and the administration. The result is a diverse, identity-forming district centre with green spaces, a neighbourhood square and car-free paths.

Guided tours will take place on both days at 11am, 12pm and 1pm (meeting point: Aarstraße 133 b)

We look forward to your visit and to exchanging ideas on site!

We are delighted that our colleague and project manager Heike Warns will be on the podium at the book premiere and dialogue "stadt denken 9 Quartiere gestalten" on Friday, 27^th June 2025, from 6 to 9 pm in the Papierhalle of Wasmuth Verlag (Axel-Springer-Straße 43, 10969 Berlin).

The event will focus on successful, contemporary and sustainable neighbourhood developments that contribute to the building revolution and sustainable urban development. The impulses and project presentations will be followed by an open dialogue with the audience.

Heike Warns will present the project ‘Marienhöfe Berlin - A holistic neighbourhood concept’: A new urban neighbourhood is being created in Berlin-Schöneberg that will enable lively, sustainable and diverse city life by combining living, working, local amenities, childcare and generous green spaces. The project is an example of innovative neighbourhood development and social mixing.

Further information on the event:

https://www.dasl.de/veranstaltungen/quartiere-gestalten

CollignonArchitektur has been part of our Berlin history since the beginning of June. Both offices are already networked in the BKW Engineering - Network of Excellence® - the largest association of planning offices in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

With this step, two experienced teams are combining their expertise to jointly develop innovative and sustainable solutions for architecture and urban planning. This partnership-based development creates clear added value for both sides: planquadrat and CollignonArchitektur combine their strengths in order to create new impetus together and grow in a future-oriented manner.

Our Managing Director Claudia Becker will be speaking at the 4th Modulbaukongress of the DBZ on 1 and 2^nd July in Darmstadt. Her presentation entitled ‘Positioning modular construction in residential construction’ will take place on 2^nd July at 2:30 pm in the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor in Darmstadt.

Modular construction is considered a pioneering method in residential construction: prefabricated modules enable significantly faster construction times, flexible floor plans and a high level of precision in execution. At the same time, resources can be utilised more efficiently and the ecological footprint reduced. Modular construction offers innovative solutions for sustainable and affordable architecture, especially in view of the increasing demand for living space.

Further information on the congress can be found here:

https://bauverlag-events.de/event/modulbau-kongress-2025/

This year, our team was represented as a cooperation partner at the P5 The Property Congress in the PSD BANK Arena at FSV Frankfurt - the central meeting place for the property industry with over 4,000 participants, more than 100 renowned speakers and 70 exciting masterclasses. Together with our managing directors and other colleagues, we took the opportunity to exchange expertise and network with players in the property industry.

A particular highlight was the presentation by our project manager Constanze Gräff on 13^th June in the masterclass ‘Rethinking existing properties: living instead of working - opportunities and stumbling blocks’. She shared her experiences and insights into the challenges and potential of converting existing buildings and enriched the discussion with practical ideas. We would like to thank all participants for their great interest and look forward to further inspiring discussions and new ideas from the industry.

The ‘J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge’, which is considered the largest corporate run in the world, once again attracted more than 64,000 participants to Frankfurt city centre this year - including six highly motivated runners from planquadrat, who took part as part of the BKW network. Although the evening started off a little rainy, rain ponchos organised at short notice provided the necessary protection and kept spirits high. Towards the end of the run, the sky even cleared and the sun came out a little, creating a real running atmosphere.

Along the route, the runners were enthusiastically cheered on by numerous spectators, which provided additional motivation. The team spirit was also palpable - a likeable group that had a lot of fun together. Afterwards, the team and their colleagues from BKW enjoyed a cosy end to the evening in an Äppelwoi pub.

Zwei Gold Awards beim Urban Design & Architecture Design Award 2025 in den Kategorien „Hospitality Architecture (Built)” und „Residential Architecture (Built)“ würdigen das Alea Resort in Bad Orb. Das Projekt verbindet moderne Architektur mit lokaler Identität: Grauer Muschelkalk und markante Satteldächer erinnerten an die Geschichte der Salzgewinnung. Gemeinsam mit plajer + franz (Konzept, Design, Interior) begleiteten wir dieses Projekt vom Entwurf bis zur Vergabe.

On 28 May, the forward-looking concept for hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the Rhine and Ruhr region was presented to the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) in Cologne. Alongside Minister-President Hendrik Wüst, senior representatives of the participating cities also attended the event. As part of the presentation, our Managing Director Herbert Elfers introduced the concept for an athletics stadium with the Olympic and Paralympic Village located in its immediate vicinity.

Our approach combines the requirements of the Games with a long-term perspective for urban development: the stadium and the Olympic and Paralympic Village are designed so that the sites and buildings can be repurposed as a multifunctional urban quarter after the Games. The plans include housing, offices, daycare facilities and a central park. Inspired by ancient sports venues, the stadium forms the heart of the development.

The stadium’s modular design is intended to enable flexible use beyond the Games. The concept also takes into account aspects such as material use and circularity. The aim is to create an urban quarter that combines short distances, urban density and a diverse mix of uses.

We are pleased that our concept can contribute to the long-term development of the region.

As of today, two new electric company cars have joined our architecture firm’s vehicle fleet. By choosing electric vehicles, we are increasingly using e-mobility for business travel and integrating the technology into our everyday operations.

The two new vehicles mark another step in the transition of our fleet to alternative drive technologies.

At the specialist event and members' meeting of the German Academy for Urban Development and Regional Planning (DASL) on 16^th May, our Managing Director Claudia Becker was appointed to the board of the DASL regional group for Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland. She succeeds Herbert Elfers, who held this position for many years and played a key role in shaping the work of the regional group.

The DASL sees itself as an interdisciplinary network that promotes the exchange of expertise on current issues of urban development and regional planning, discusses innovative approaches and provides impetus for the sustainable development of urban and rural areas.

Herbert Elfers has been appointed as a new member of the ZIA Zentraler Immobilien Ausschuss e.V., the leading interest group for the German property industry. The ZIA represents the industry, promotes dialogue with politicians and society and campaigns for better framework conditions in residential construction.

As a member, planquadrat benefits from a strong network and can play an active role in shaping the future of the property industry. As part of the BKW Engineering Network, the largest association of planning offices in German-speaking countries, planquadrat strengthens its position in architecture and urban planning.

The Merck company run in Darmstadt was once again a real highlight this year: over 7,000 running enthusiasts took to the starting line in glorious sunshine and a great atmosphere - with our office proudly taking part with 14 runners. Starting at the Merck stadium at Böllenfalltor, the runners ran different distances through the nearby forest. The atmosphere was once again rousing and everyone from our team crossed the finish line happy and safe, accompanied by enthusiastic applause and cheers from the spectators.

After the sporting part, the day ended in a convivial atmosphere with cool drinks and stadium refreshments. The joy and fun of running together was palpable everywhere - and maybe we'll even break our own participation record next year?

At Drees & Sommer's neext Future Think Tank on 7^th May 2025 in Frankfurt am Main, the focus was on the transformation of existing neighbourhoods. Going by the motto “ReThink. ReBuild. ReVive.”, industry experts discussed how brownfield sites can be transformed into vibrant urban spaces through innovative and sustainable concepts.

Our Managing Director Herbert Elfers was a speaker in the auditorium debate “Sustainability vs. profitability: the balance in district development” and provided important impetus for the combination of ecological responsibility and economic viability. The intensive exchange and practical workshops made it clear that the future of urban spaces lies in the creative use of existing buildings and in cooperation across industry boundaries.

Photos: Malte Reiter, www.malte-reiter.de

With immediate effect, planquadrat and Bermüller + Niemeyer Architekturwerkstatt are pooling their expertise. The merger creates the fourth planquadrat location in Nuremberg alongside Darmstadt, Berlin and Frankfurt. Founded in 2013 by Sophie Bermüller and managed together with Matthias Niemeyer, the office is shaping Nuremberg's architectural landscape with innovative projects. Known for combining traditional craftsmanship with digital design methods, the 15-strong team has realised projects in the regional context and in the new federal states.

Sophie Bermüller and Matthias Niemeyer will continue to manage the Nuremberg location as authorised signatories with proven commitment and expertise. The merger enables synergies in climate-friendly architecture and hybrid utilization concepts - especially for ongoing projects such as the planned high-rise quarter in the west of Nuremberg. The management of planquadrat Elfers Geskes Krämer GmbH will remain unchanged.

The planned residential project in Schleiermacherstraße in Darmstadt received a positive response from the Design Advisory Board on 14^th February. The design envisages the addition of two new buildings to the existing old ones, creating a total of 80 residential units for students and trainees.

The planning takes into account the historical surroundings and is based on the surrounding buildings from the Wilhelminian era. The façade structure was carefully designed to blend in harmoniously with the surroundings. The presentation met with broad approval and received constructive comments. The project will not only create urgently needed living space, but also contribute to urban development.

A team of nine colleagues from our office visited BAU 2025 in Munich. The world’s leading trade fair for architecture presented current developments and new trends in the construction industry. We were particularly impressed by the approaches presented for resilient and climate-responsive construction, as well as for the transformation of cities and urban quarters.

Other key topics included resource-efficient and modular construction – areas that are becoming increasingly relevant to our work in light of the current challenges facing the industry. Once again, the trade fair provided an excellent platform for discovering new technologies and approaches and for making new contacts. We returned with plenty of inspiration and new perspectives to inform our future work.

The ground-breaking ceremony for our residential construction project in Adam-Treber-Weg took place in Hochheim am Main on 17^th January. The housing association (WoBau) is building a residential complex with a total of 69 residential units and a large multi-purpose room on a 5,300 m² site. The investment volume amounts to 15.7 million euros.

The project, which is being implemented by Goldbeck Südwest GmbH, is based on the concept of serial and modular construction. This enables a simplified planning process and cost-effective, high-quality residential construction. The new project therefore sets an important example for affordable and social housing in the region.

On 22 November, the Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland regional group of the German Academy for Urban and Regional Planning (DASL) held a specialist event in Darmstadt. Under the title “Resource-conscious?! Planning, Building and Renovating in Small Municipalities and within the German Building Code”, participants discussed current challenges and strategies for a resource-conscious approach to urban development, planning and construction.

The event began with a tour of the Mollerstadt district and the “Studico” project. This was followed by a series of informative presentations at the planquadrat office. Overall, the event provided insights into resource-conscious planning approaches and encouraged exchange between experts from different disciplines.

On 31^st October, Herbert Elfers and the site manager from Dobberstein Realisierungsmanagement GmbH gave around 30 guests a guided tour of our View180 conversion project in Darmstädter Landstrasse in Frankfurt am Main and explained the planning concept and the steps involved in its implementation in detail. A vacant office and residential building from 1991 in the Sachsenhausen district is being converted into a high-quality mixed-use building. There will be 222 residential units as well as commercial uses on the ground floor (including a boarding house) and a day care centre. Most of the upper floors will be gutted and converted, while the underground car park will be completely refurbished.

The topping-out ceremony for our ‘Plinganserstraße’ new-build and modernisation project in Munich took place on 8 October. The project for Münchner Wohnen comprises the construction of 194 new flats, of which 147 are privately financed and 47 are income-orientated subsidised. Former commercial buildings along Plinganserstraße will be replaced by six-storey buildings, two further buildings will be constructed on Karwendelstraße and four flats will be added to an existing building. In addition, four existing buildings with a total of 64 flats are being modernised to make them more energy-efficient.

The neighbourhood will be expanded to include two commercial units and a day-care centre as well as a mobility station where tenants can borrow cargo pedelecs or e-bikes free of charge. The completion of the overall project, which resulted from a winning realisation competition and will offer a sustainable residential solution in a central location within the Mittlerer Ring, is planned for the end of 2026. Our office was commissioned for service phases 1-4 and 6 in full and 5 and 7 in part.

Photography: © Münchner Wohnen

On 1 October, our Managing Director Herbert Elfers presented our concept for a temporary athletics stadium to the Sports Committee of the State Parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia. Developed for a potential German bid for the 2026, 2040 or 2044 Olympic Games, the concept combines the requirements of a sports venue for the Games with a long-term perspective for urban development. The planned stadium is to be built on a former industrial site and accommodate around 40,000 spectators. After the Games, the concept provides for the site and buildings to be repurposed.

The interior of the stadium is intended to be transformed into a park with small lakes. The grandstands could be converted into residential and office space, while daycare facilities and sports amenities are also planned as part of the subsequent use. In this way, the concept combines the temporary use as a sports venue with the long-term development of an urban quarter.

We are pleased to contribute new perspectives for the long-term development of the site with our concept and look forward to the next steps of the project.

Planquadrat will once again be taking part in this year's EXPO REAL, which will be held in Munich from 7^th to 9^th October 2024. The international trade fair for property and investment offers a platform for exchanging information on the latest developments and innovations in the industry.

This year, the focus of the trade fair will be on the topics of digitalisation, decarbonisation and smart buildings, which address the key challenges facing the real estate industry. A new area called ‘Transform & Beyond’ will be dedicated specifically to these future topics in order to present innovative solutions and approaches. We look forward to interesting discussions and exchanges with industry colleagues and experts.

Photography: © Messe München GmbH

On 19^th September, the topping-out ceremony for the second STADTPLATZ construction phase of our PARKTRIO residential project in Frankfurt was celebrated. It will comprise 143 rental flats as well as commercial and catering space, which are expected to be ready for occupancy by the end of 2025. The Managing Director of our client LBBW Immobilien, Michael Stapf, emphasised the importance of the project in view of the current housing shortage. The entire PARKTRIO neighbourhood is scheduled for completion by the end of 2028 and will comprise a total of 420 residential units. Great importance is attached to sustainable construction and utilisation.

Photography: © LBBW Immobilien Management GmbH

The 20th Test Facility Forum (TFF), organised by SBI Schreiber, Brand und Partner Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH, took place in Frankenthal on 17 and 18 September. The event provided a platform for the exchange of innovative ideas and global collaboration in the field of pioneering technologies.

On the second day of the event, our Managing Director Robert Müller and our Sustainability Manager Anne Schultheis spoke on the topic of "Sustainable building in architecture". Their presentation covered historical developments, CO2 reduction strategies and EU Green Deal measures, as well as a life cycle approach for buildings and the increasing relevance of sustainability in property valuation.

Foto: © SBI

This year's summer tour took our office to Dörscheid in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. We travelled in two coaches from Darmstadt via Frankfurt to Kaub, from where (after a short stop at a local inn) we hiked up quite steep slopes through the vineyards. Once at the top, we were rewarded with a breathtaking view over the Rhine and the Pfalzgrafenstein island castle.

The end of the hike was the garden of our Managing Director Martin Geskes, where chilled drinks and a barbecue buffet awaited us, a quiz had to be solved together and one or two of us were able to demonstrate their talent in a bouncy ball competition. After driving home together, we ended the evening in a cosy atmosphere on our sunny outdoor terrace. It was great!

Despite the exertions and the sweltering outdoor temperatures (33 °C, 42% humidity), it was once again great fun: our office team gave it their all again on 1st September and achieved an absolutely respectable overall time of 14 hours, 24 minutes and 46 seconds at the Darmstadt 10 Friends Triathlon, which meant 126th place in the overall rankings. What a great achievement!

Many thanks to all our colleagues who donned the orange PQ jersey or put on their swimming cap this time. And, of course, a big thank you to all those who carried our team to the finish line with their vociferous support along the route.

On 29th August, our Managing Director, Jörg Krämer, spoke on the topic of ‘Change as a principle’ at an evening for young architects and urban planners, organised by the Hesse Chamber of Architects and Urban Planners in Wiesbaden. Among other things, he presented the campus concept for the factory premises of the Heraeus technology group in Hanau and our current project ‘View 180’ in Darmstädter Landstraße in Frankfurt, in which a former office building of a large insurance company will be converted into residential premises by the end of this year. The AKH series of events is aimed at young architects who are currently only voluntary members of the Chamber.

Foto: ©AKH

This year, planquadrat once again took part in the CITY CYCLING campaign at all three office locations. The aim of this competition is to cycle as many everyday journeys as possible within 21 days and thus promote more cycling, climate protection and quality of life in the municipalities. This time, our colleagues cycled a total of 6,460 kilometres - roughly half the diameter of the earth. This equates to a saving of 1,035 kg of CO2. A big thank you to everyone who took part!

In recent years, planquadrat has developed innovative concepts for climate adaptation in urban neighbourhoods and has been able to use this knowledge to win many competitions and implement urban development plans. Our office has successfully collaborated with geskes.hack landscape architects from Berlin, who have a wealth of expertise in green and blue infrastructure, municipal water management and the redesign of urban, climate-resilient open spaces.

On 2^nd July, the Futurepanel ‘Climate-resilient neighbourhoods’ took place at planquadrat in Darmstadt, where Christof Geskes reported on planning and implementation practice: whether future trees, water gardens, cold islands, reed beds or the design of new retention areas - the exemplary solutions he presented all contribute to securing or restoring the quality of life in our cities in times of climate change. We would like to thank the numerous guests for coming and for the good discussions on this evening.

Planquadrat stellt die Weichen für die Zukunft und erweitert die Geschäftsleitung, um das Büro langfristig zu stärken und den bevorstehenden Generationswechsel strukturiert zu gestalten. Mit dem Aufbau eines neuen Leitungsteams wird ein Prozess eingeleitet, der sowohl die aktuelle Entwicklung des Büros begleitet als auch den Übergang in die kommenden Jahre vorbereitet.

Seit dem 1. Oktober besteht die Geschäftsleitung neben Uwe Ritter aus einem erweiterten Team mit Steffen Baumgärtner, Franciska Bösz, Hannah Geskes, Constanze Gräff und Matthias Wöber. Damit ist der Grundstein für eine erfolgreiche gemeinsame Zukunft gelegt.

Am 26. Juni wurde in der Flora Köln das Bewerbungskonzept KölnRheinRuhr für die Olympischen und Paralympischen Spiele vorgestellt. Vor Vertreterinnen und Vertretern des Deutschen Olympischen Sportbundes (DOSB), der olympischen Spitzenverbände sowie zahlreichen Gästen aus Politik, Wirtschaft und Sport präsentierten die Verantwortlichen zentrale Inhalte der Bewerbung. Zu den Rednern gehörten unter anderem Nordrhein-Westfalens Ministerpräsident Hendrik Wüst, Kölns Oberbürgermeister Torsten Burmester sowie Vertreterinnen und Vertreter der beteiligten Städte und Institutionen.

Im Themenblock „Olympisches und Paralympisches Dorf & Stadion“ stellte unser Geschäftsführer Herbert Elfers die Vision für die Entwicklung im Kölner Norden vor. Im Mittelpunkt stand ein Konzept, das die Olympischen und Paralympischen Spiele als Ausgangspunkt einer langfristigen Stadtentwicklung versteht. Rund um Kreuzfeld und Chorweiler sollen ein Leichtathletikstadion, das Olympische und Paralympische Dorf sowie ein neues Stadtquartier entstehen, das Wohnen, Sport, Forschung, Bildung und Freiraum miteinander verbindet.

Besonderes Merkmal des Konzepts ist die geplante Nachnutzung: Das Stadion wird nicht als temporäre Infrastruktur gedacht, sondern soll nach den Spielen schrittweise zu einem urbanen Zentrum weiterentwickelt werden. Gemeinsam mit dem Olympischen und Paralympischen Dorf können so bis zu 5.000 Wohnungen für rund 10.000 Menschen entstehen.

Die Veranstaltung in Köln bot erstmals die Gelegenheit, das Gesamtkonzept einem breiten Fachpublikum vorzustellen und die langfristigen Potenziale der Bewerbung KölnRheinRuhr zu diskutieren. Für planquadrat war die Präsentation ein wichtiger Meilenstein, um die städtebauliche Vision hinter dem Projekt und die Chancen einer nachhaltigen Entwicklung für den Kölner Norden zu vermitteln.