dormakaba hosts architectural summit in Berlin

“As part of our ongoing commitment to fostering connections with the architectural community, the summit provides a platform for professionals to share ideas, collaborate, and explore new solutions for sustainable and innovative architecture. Discussions focus on digital innovation, sustainable design, and the changing role of architecture in urban development,” explains Daniel Schepers, DVP Marketing Communications.

Event highlights
The event started with an informal dinner at the LOVIS restaurant, Wilmina Hotel, allowing attendees to network and share ideas. The second day featured keynotes and interactive sessions on the theme “Digital Tools for Smart Architecture - How to Drive Innovation and Push Circular Economy?” Topics included digital planning for urban challenges and opportunities. 

Keynote speakers included:

• Aljan de Boer, Head of Inspiration at TrendsActive, discussing long-term sociocultural trends.
• David Basulto, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of ArchDaily, speaking on driving innovation in architecture.
• Almut Grüntuch-Ernst, Founder of Grüntuch Ernst Architects, focusing on sustainable architecture and digital technology.

The sessions were moderated by Thomas Welter, Federal Managing Director of the Association of German Architects (BDA).

The summit included leading international architects such as:

• Sandy Attia (MoDusArchitects)
• Pietro Bagnoll (Cino Zucchi Architetti)
• Alicia Casals de San Miguel (NOMO STUDIO)
• Almut Grüntuch-Ernst (Grüntuch Ernst Architects)
• Sebastian Helm (HPP Architekten)
• Luis Bellera (b720 Fermín Vázquez Arquitectos)
• Martin Jasper (JASPER ARCHITECTS)
• Peter Irmscher (Zaha Hadid Architects)
• Anja Keller (KSP Engel)
• Karl Nyqvist (NOMO STUDIO)
• Jasna Moritz (kadawittfeldarchitektur)
• Matteo Scagnol (MoDusArchitects)
• Magdalene Weiß (gmp Architekten)
• Jacob van Rijs (MVRDV)

The historic Wilmina Hotel, a former courthouse and women’s prison transformed by Grüntuch Ernst Architects provided a unique and inspiring setting for the event. Its location in Berlin-Charlottenburg offered a culturally rich backdrop.

The event concluded with a guided tour of the Wilmina Hotel by Almut Grüntuch-Ernst, showcasing the venue's innovative architectural transformation.

Looking ahead
The positive response to this year's Architects Connect has encouraged dormakaba to make it an annual event. Future editions will continue to support architects in their projects and foster innovation and collaboration within the architectural community. The event will rotate globally to connect different markets and cultures.