Designing what is necessary, creating surprising effects, proposing inspiring ideas: from concept to detail, we pursue a high standard of architectural quality in planning and implementation. Our work is versatile and has received numerous awards and prizes. Some of our building assignments may appear to be commonplace, they demand fitness for purpose, and often rationality. We are always driven by the search for a specific solution in a co-creational design process.
Competition win in Offenburg
Birk Heilmeyer und Frenzel Architekten win the design competition for the new building of the Offenburg district school centre: "With a triad of a three-storey school building, a two-storey compact gymnasium and a repurposed existing factory building, the architects have succeeded convincingly in rounding off the existing school campus to the south, whilst the smaller footprints of the new buildings create generous, varied open spaces. The staggered building volumes in conjunction with the varying building heights are a logical progression within the urban grammar of the district school centre. To the south-east a broad open space forms the entrance to the campus. (...)
The proposed timber/timber hybrid construction of the new buildings in combination with a low-tech approach and the conservation of the existing building stock for the district media centre meets the requirements for a judicious use of materials and resources. In terms of the design, the architects demonstrate the principles of timber construction in both the school and the sports building by means of a clear grid, sound proportions and fine, unobtrusive detailing." (Excerpt from the jury's assessment)
Institute for Solar Physics completed
The Institute for Solar Physics (KIS) in Freiburg conducts basic research in astronomy and astrophysics with a particular focus on solar physics. After two and a half years of construction, the new building of the research facility, located opposite the SC Freiburg football stadium on the former airfield, was completed and handed over to the users to move in. The various functions of the institute, such as offices, laboratories, workshops and seminar areas, are brought together in a compact structure organized around a spacious atrium.
The new institute building is a solid construction. The window openings in the masonry, load-bearing outer shell have a vertical format, corresponding to the tectonics of the building. To reinforce the monolithic effect of the structure, the window elements in the perforated façade are set inwards.
Transmission losses are reduced as much as possible thanks to the compact structure, a glazing ratio of approx. 30% and the building envelope designed to passive house standards. A photovoltaic system is located on the roof, which provides additional electrical energy for operation and lighting in the building. (Photographs: Bernhard Strauss, Freiburg im Breisgau)
We have a lot of experience in working for various institutions, including the public sector, in state and grant construction. The lively exchange with our clients, specialist planners, occupants, and contractors leads to a constantly growing pool of knowledge in our practice. This is the basis of our daily work.
Connections for circularity in wooden buildings
The article "Connections for circularity in wooden buildings" by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jürgen Graf, Prof. Stephan Birk, Viktor Poteschkin and Marcel Balsen is published in DETAIL 1/2.2024: "t-lab, a research partner of the University of Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU), has made an experimental arena for the erection of trial buildings available in the Palatinate Forest. The first building erected using a design-research-build-process was the Diemerstein Fabrication and Research Hall. The timber structure is designed for effective circularity. In addition to circularity, this approach includes other characteristics to promote a circular economy. Among them are not only durability and material efficiency, but also flexibility of use, modularised and standardised elements, reversible connections, digital documentation and an integrated design culture. One of the features in the construction of the hall was the use of newly developed reversible connection details made from compreg..."
Lecture at the International Wood Constrction Conference
At the 27th International Wood Construction Conference (IHF) in Innsbruck, Liza Heilmeyer will give a lecture on "Holzbau:amtlich - Public construction with wood" on 29.11.23 in the block "Architectural quality and sustainability".
Kita im Park, Stuttgart
1st prize for straw bale constrcution
Our design was awarded first prize in the competition "New administration building in straw bale construction" on the grounds of the Hessenpark Open-Air Museum.
„The building evolves from an almost square footprint, with the east side directing towards the entrance. It forms an autonomous entity that is not predominantly oriented towards the surrounding typologies. An only slightly pitched roof underpins its form, which is striking in its flatness. This subtle approach works well, although the timber structure would imply a perpendicular construction. The building is organised around an inner courtyard, which is set slightly off-centre. This creates different spatial zones allocated to the respective occupations. In combination with the inner courtyard, the zoning and versatility result in high standard offices and meeting rooms.
The energy efficiency requirements of the State of Hesse to exceed the minimum legal requirements are easily met with this design. The proposed energy concept consistently pursues the low tech principle and thus impresses the jury". (Excerpt from the jury assessment)
1st prize in Darmstadt!
Our design for the new Thomas Weiland building on the Stadtmitte Süd campus of TU Darmstadt convinced jury and client: "From an urban planning point of view, the building is skilfully positioned. The design is unpretentious, yet rational and self-evident. Taking advantage of and strengthening the topographical situation, the architects succeed in creating not only a southern entrance but also an entrance facing Fraunhoferstrasse. The foyer on the east, which extends from south to north, is inviting and can be used multifunctionally. The floor plans of the standard floors are functional and communicative; the connection of the campus-side foyer to the lift may prove to be insufficient.
The façade design with curtain PV elements addresses current economic and ecological issues. The proposed timber frame construction for the upper floors is sustainable and economically feasible.
District Courthouse Heilbronn
Birk Heilmeyer und Frenzel Architekten are awarded first place in the competition for the new Heilbronn District Court and win the contract. The new building to replace the old one is situated on the boundary to the north of the site. This gives the building a prominent position in the street space and sets it apart from the existing public authority centre. A recess on the ground floor creates a spacious covered entrance area, which provides orientation and guidance for visitors.
The layout of the interior is primarily based on the complex requirements for occupancy-use and safety. By organising the rooms in a double ring around the central green inner courtyard, the required separation of paths can be realised in the best possible way. On the outside, the new district building has a fine-textured appearance. Structure and exterior walls comprise timber, constructed with expertise on the material in a contemporary design.
University of Education, Freiburg im Breisgau
Two-court sports hall in Ruit completed
Based on the design of Birk Heilmeyer and Frenzel Architekten the two-court sports hall for the Württemberg Sports Association on the premises of the Ruit State Sports School in Ostfildern has been completed. The straightforward timber construction building is located in the middle of a grove and blends effortlessly into its surroundings.
Jüberg tower, Hemer
FUX Start-up Centre, Karlsruhe
Multihalle Mannheim
We are pleased to have been awarded the contract to support fast+epp Ingenieure with execution planning, tendering, awarding and site supervision for the repair and modernisation of the timber roof construction of the Mannheim Multihalle.
It was erected as a temporary structure by architects Frei Otto and Carlfried Mutschler on the occasion of the 1975 National Horticultural Show in Mannheim. Otto chose a new structural design approach for the hall featuring a self-supporting grid shell construction made of wood. The maximum span of the structure is approximately 60 meters with a height of 20 meters. In total, the construction covers an area of approx. 7,400 m². The multi-hall was declared a cultural monument and granted listed building status in 1998 because of its worldwide unique design and filigree construction. In 2019, it received the status of "cultural monument of national significance". The renovation work is scheduled to be completed by 2027.