CITYFÖRSTER

Construction of Istropolis is beginning: Bratislava's New Cultural and Urban Landmark On February 20, 2025, alongside real estate developer IMMOCAP, KCAP, and local architect PANTOGRAPH, we proudly presented an updated vision for the Istropolis District. With construction set to begin in the summer of 2025, this major development will transform Trnavské Mýto into a vibrant new gateway to Bratislava’s Nové Mesto. Istropolis is a forward-thinking development that blends cultural, residential, and business functions to create a thriving hub of urban life. The project promises: •A multifunctional hall with a 3,000-person capacity, designed for a wide variety of cultural and social events. •600 residential apartments offering quality urban living. •70,000 m² of office space designed for modern work environments. •25,000 m² of public spaces, including a beautifully landscaped urban park, squares, and bike paths. Martin Sobota shares: "We are very pleased with how the project has evolved over the past four years. It has been an intensive design process, developed in close collaboration with our local partners. During this time, we have seen our sustainability ambitions take shape—positioning Immocap ahead not only in terms of legal requirements but also ESG criteria. The project’s massing and density in such a central location gives it a head start in terms of individual mobility requirements, the function mix supports smart energy systems and we have managed to integrate passive climate solutions like external shading in the office high rise, a mid-doors environment in the atrium of the office block and decreased thermal gains in the concert hall by adding a louvered façade. This holistic approach allows us to balance embodied emissions with operational emissions and look at the building from a whole-life-carbon perspective." Visualisations by Pictury Archviz Physical model by Modelart #Istropolis #Bratislava #UrbanDevelopment #CulturalHub #SustainableDesign #CITYFÖRSTER #KCAP #Pantograph #Immocap

Model trees made from papermesh, buildings from coffee grounds? At CITYFÖRSTER, we’re not just committed to designing sustainable projects—we’re also trying to rethinking our daily office routines to reduce waste and promote a circular economy. One area where this is very relevant: Model making. Traditional models often rely on plastic, styrofoam, and rubber—not really eco-friendly and recyclable. That's why we experiment with waste that accumulates in our office every day: coffee grounds, paper towels, waste paper and try to produce new modelling materials from them. It’s a work in progress, but we love the first outcomes and are staying tuned! Have you tried using waste materials for model making? Let’s share experiences! #cityfoerster #creatingbetterplaces #CircularDesign #SustainableArchitecture #ModelMaking #Upcycling #circularity #circulareconomy #circulardesign #reuse #waste

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) – Making Sustainability Visible and Measurable! We’re excited to introduce our colleagues Noortje Grawunder and Hanna Sentis as certified experts in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)! They help make sustainability measurable – from the first feasibility study to building design and urban planning. Sustainability doesn’t happen by chance – it’s the result of smart decisions. At CITYFÖRSTER, we focus on designs that are not only visually strong but also resource-efficient and future-proof. A key tool: Life Cycle Assessment. Why is Life Cycle Assessment important? - Track CO₂ emissions – reliable data for better decision-making - Compare alternatives – assess the carbon footprint of different design options - Secure funding – consider subsidies and requirements early on - Meet GWP targets – ensure compliance in the planning phase - Increase property value – sustainability as an asset The construction industry is a major contributor to global emissions. By using sustainable, renewable, and recycled materials, we can drastically reduce our environmental impact. With a solid Life Cycle Assessment, sustainability becomes more than a vision – it becomes a measurable reality. Curious how LCA can benefit your project? Get in touch – let’s find the most sustainable solution together! #cityförster #creatingbetterplaces #co2 #sustainability #circulardesign #circularity #circularcity #lifecycleassessment #SustainableDesign #GreenBuilding #CarbonFootprint #NetZero #CircularEconomy #CO2Reduction #SustainableConstruction #EcoFriendly #FutureProof

PHV, we are back! We are very happy that we are again involved in the conversion of the Patrick-Henry-Village in Heidelberg after the planning areas B3+B4 and the Parkway! Following an on-site workshop last year, we were commissioned to work with Agence TER to drive forward and concretise the urban development planning for lot A5. The site is part of utilisation band A: "Living and Learning" on the west side of the PHV. Innovative forms of housing, educational programmes and social and commercial uses are to be accommodated in these building plots, mainly in new buildings. The planning of construction site A5 is intended to develop principles that can also be applied to the other residential neighbourhoods. We are excited to see how this truly innovative and pioneering project develops and look forward to working with Stadt Heidelberg and GGH! Dynamic masterplan (Image 2) by KCAP #cityfoerster #creatingbetterplaces #ibaheidelberg IBA Heidelberg #urbanplanning #urbandesign #urbandevelopment #circularcity #circularity #archilovers #heidelberg #patrickhenryvillage

In the past months, our team has been working on a Center Vision for the Gemeente Papendrecht, together with BLOC bv. After months of research and analysis, we have developed 4 spatial scenarios for the future of the village center. The four scenarios for the center help to reveal untapped potential for Papendrecht's future. As part of the participatory development approach, we are now inviting the citizens of Papendrecht to share their opinion and give feedback on these potential future scenarios. On February 11th, from 16.00 to 20.00, the Raadzsaal of the Gemeente will be open to the public and together with our partners we will be present to explain ideas, discuss possibilities and understand the public's opinion. The rating of the different ideas will help to define the final Center Vision and set priorities, so we look forward to seeing you there! /// Samen met de Gemeente Papendrecht en BLOC bv nodigen we de inwoners van Papendrecht uit om hun mening te delen over vier toekomstscenario's die we hebben ontwikkeld voor de toekomst van het dorpscentrum. Op 11 februari, van 16:00 tot 20:00, bent u van harte welkom in de Raadzaal van de Gemeente. We presenteren onze ideeën, bespreken de mogelijkheden en horen graag uw feedback. Uw input is belangrijk om de visie voor het dorpscentrum te bepalen en de ontwikkelprioriteiten vast te stellen, dus we kijken er naar uit u te zien op 11 februari. #creatingbetterplaces #urbandevelopment #strategicdevelopment #cocreation Ruben Lentz Jesse Ligtenberg Robert Baumann Philipp Holzer Martin Sobota

The City of Vienna recently invited design proposals for a new bridge in the city center. The site, located slightly southwest of the city center in Meidling, is dominated by a railway and two major roads that bisect the neighborhood. A new security center is planned on the northern side of this divide, while the nearest tram station lies to the south. The proposed bridge would span the roads and tracks, connecting the north and south, allowing employees and local residents to move more easily via a car-free route.   Together with imagine structure GmbH and Openfabric we decided to participate, and the design process brought us back to a recurring theme: 'hijacking infrastructure'. The brief focused on creating a way to cross the space, but as we sketched, we saw an opportunity to go further. Why should we accept that the space occupied by tracks and highways is permanently lost? Why not reclaim it, turning it into useable infrastructure for people while the trains and cars continue to pass below?   Our final design enclosed the roads and tracks for 60 meters, creating 360m² of solid ground where before there had been only air. The two sides of the site were no longer connected by a narrow crossing but instead by a vibrant new floating public space that could serve a variety of purposes. This approach not only met the core requirement of bridging the divide but also expanded the city’s social and ecological landscape. The square was designed to be dismantlable and incorporated a participatory decision-making process, allowing the community to determine its use and activities.   Hijacking infrastructure isn’t just about burying railways or highways; it’s about rethinking how we see the city. So much space is lost or underutilized in the current urban fabric. As cities grow denser and face increasing spatial pressure, urbanists need to take a fresh look around. Although our design didn’t win, we’re proud to have submitted it. It reaffirmed an essential reminder: infrastructure isn’t immutable. Cities are ever-evolving, and reimagining their potential is both necessary and possible. Renders: The Big Picture #creatingbetterplaces #urbandesign #hijackinginfrastructure #competition #vienna #cityförster

CITYFÖRSTER Rotterdam is hiring a Management & Team Assistant! Are you a proactive, organized professional with a passion for architecture? CITYFÖRSTER Rotterdam is looking for a team assistant (x/m/f) to support our directors and architects in a dynamic and international environment. In this role, you’ll take on a variety of tasks, from arranging calls with international clients and booking travel to organizing schedules and keeping projects on track. You’ll be the first point of contact for new employees, ensuring a smooth onboarding process and helping them integrate into the team. Your role also includes managing personnel and financial administration, assisting with business development, and ensuring smooth communication across our offices in Rotterdam, Hanover, and Tirana. You thrive under pressure, anticipate needs before being asked, and never miss a deadline. This 24-32 hour per week position offers exciting opportunities to grow your career within an agency committed to social responsibility. If you've got at least two years of experience in a similar role, fluency in Dutch and English, and a degree in a relevant field, we'd love to hear from you. More details at the link below.   https://lnkd.in/eTH5Vwy9 #JobOpening #ArchitectureJobs #Rotterdam

This year we’ve been lucky enough to work on a range of really meaningful projects. One of these was our technical assistance to the municipality of Shkodra, close to #Albania’s border with #Montenegro.   Shkodra sits close to Lake Shkodra, at the confluence of the rivers Buna, Drin and Kir. It's a very complex hydrological network and the area experiences frequent flooding during periods of heavy rain. The Buna River, through which Lake Shkodra flows out towards the Adriatic Sea, is also a unique ecosystem and has great potential for #ecotourism development.   Together with our partners at Deltares we were commissioned by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) | Partner in Sustainable Development to gain insights from a diverse range of stakeholders and propose a vision for the future of the Buna #Delta. In this vision, flood protection infrastructure is harmoniously combined with the development of ecotourism and circular economy, as well as the improvement of sustainable mobility between the Adriatic Sea and Shkodra.   Working on projects like this is hugely motivating and satisfying, and we were very happy to be approached. River deltas all over southern Europe face similar issues, and we believe that the lessons we were able to learn in Shkodra can serve as a useful blueprint for other municipalities who wish to protect their citizens from flooding while also creating new economic opportunities. Thank you to Darja Kragić for trusting us with this project!   You can read more about the project here: https://lnkd.in/eE6PK6Nv #sustainabledesign #climateadaptation #ecologicalbalance #resilientcities #integrateddevelopment #sustainablefutures #deltaresilience

How can Munich balance the need for new housing with preserving its landscape, turning areas of tension into productive spaces for negotiation and cooperation? From November 18 to 23, 2024, we joined forces with ARGUS Stadt und Verkehr and freiwurf landschaftsarchitekturen to take part in the ‚Ideenwerkstatt Münchner Norden‘ – an innovative format that took place at Fat Cat, an interim cultural center. The workshop focused on fostering creative collaboration and dialogue between planners and the local community to shape ideas for the future of ‚Münchner Norden‘ together. Over five intensive days, we developed concepts for the sustainable development of a 900-hectare area in the north of Munich. The dialogue between planners, experts, initiatives and the public played a key role, providing valuable insights and fresh perspectives that were incorporated into our ideas. The north of Munich is characterized by the tension between agriculture, local recreation and the need for new housing and infrastructure. Our approach envisions a flexible negotiation space – a "green forum" – fostering synergies and introducing innovative uses like co-productive agriculture. With our concept of strategic pluralism, we aim to strengthen participation, local identity, and social diversity while enhancing connections between landscape and urban spaces. The Feldmochinger See serves as a central hub for recreation, supported by an everyday and vibrant "movement culture." We also see potential for more dense settlement expansion north of Feldmoching, east of Ludwigsfeld, and in smaller-scale neighborhoods north of Fasanerie – bridging between city and countryside. The workshop demonstrated the potential of collaborative processes to create productive opportunities for the ‚Münchner Norden‘. We look forward to further developing our ideas and approaches in the following months. Thanks in particular to the Landeshauptstadt München, PlanTreff, metris, and PLAN:KOOPERATIV for organizing this engaging and forward-thinking format and to the other teams for their cooperative collaboration during the workshop week. More information about our vision is avalaible on our website: https://lnkd.in/dRC-9KJM More insights of the 'Ideenwerkstatt' and the process is available here: https://lnkd.in/d-Mdy7xR #cityförster #creatingbetterplaces #urbandesign #urbanism #circularcity #landscape ADEPT, Buro Happold, UmbauStadt GbR, FUGMANN JANOTTA PARTNER, HOFFMANN-LEICHTER Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH, urban catalyst GmbH, @teleinternetcafe, SHP, rheinflügel severin, @pan m, Studio Vulkan Landschaftsarchitektur, IBV Hüsler AG, STUDIO I STADT I REGION Image 04: copyright Alex Reisberger

Some weeks ago Lydia Oehlwein, Lisa Iglseder, Lena Lauermann und Lukas Hegele from CITYFÖRSTER visited the #Bauweltkongress in Berlin, organisied by Bauwelt, one of Germany’s top architecture and urban planning conferences. Reflecting on the impactful discussions and exciting conversations revealed a rising interest in new ways of transforming cities—from #sufficiency to #roofscapes! We are very proud that we were not only able to attend as listeners, but that Lydia had the opportunity to present our work as well! Some of the topics have given us food for thought and inspired us in retrospect: The building of the Department Architecture of the Universität Siegen, designed by Gustav Düsing and Fakt, has shown us how a suitable architecture can be created if you design on location, involve studentsas users and involve in the process and work creatively with the #existing building. Thorsten Erl and Tobis Hönig have designed a really unique process that resulted in a really unique design! Gabu Heindl contribution was enriching for us, as she showed how radically democratic approaches and the #UmBauwirtschaft can combine social and ecological responsibility in architecture and enable sustainable, fair spaces through participatory processes. Florian Nagler Architekten GmbH thinks about construction based on the questions: What do I really need? Instead of adopting norms and familiar standards. The contrast with Carlo Ratti is also very valuable - he works in completely different fields of application and shows that the solution is not low or high tech per se but depends on what is needed. Many thanks to everyone who took part and for the positive feedback on our presentation. We are already looking forward to seeing you again next year!