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Photo: Sharosh Rajasekher, Unsplash
Photo: Sharosh Rajasekher, Unsplash

FUTURE

In Stylepark Magazine’s theme focus on Future, we introduce you to personalities working in design and architecture who strive to bring about positive change through their ideas, concepts, and projects; who are committed to supporting young talent; who break away from conventional ways of thinking to find new solutions.

Photo: Iwan Baan
A house to discover

With the "Kinderoase" (Children's Oasis) at the Technical University of Munich, Kéré Architecture transforms the spatial challenges of a densely built-up campus location into a vibrant, vertically organized world of learning and play made of wood, designed to allow for free movement.

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Photo: EDEK, University Kassel
From Form to Efficiency

With the use of 3D printing, processes can be optimized: The department of Experimental and Digital Design and Construction at the University of Kassel is currently collaborating with Buro Happold to develop a new manufacturing process for circular components based on recycled wood particles.

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Photo: omar lopez rincon, unsplash
AI doesn’t have an on/off switch

Networked systems, flowing data, learning algorithms: building automation is going smart. In this interview, Tobias Frauenrath from Aachen University of Applied Sciences explains how AI optimises operations and which trends and hurdles are shaping the industry.

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Photo: Courtesy of Dylan Chandler for Murmur Ring
Design as a tool

As a visionary thinker, Patrick Whitney has had a profound influence on research into human-centred and strategic design. The project, "What Are People For: Design Philosophy by Patrick Whitney", which includes a documentary film by Gary Hustwit and a book by graphic designer Rick Valicenti, offers multifaceted insights into Whitney's work. Read more in the interview.

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Photo: Dr. Uta Brandes with design students from the Köln International School of Design (KISD)
The Subtle Difference

Professor emeritus Dr. Uta Brandes is a design expert, theorist and author as well as the founder and chairwoman of iGDN – the international Gender Design Network e.V. As a pioneer, she has brought the topic of gender and design out of its academic niche. In an interview, she tells us what she feels is still lacking today.

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Photo: Carl Bahra
Building Bridges

The WINT Design Lab designs sustainable futures. From their office at Berlin’s Tegel Airport, they explore holistic design strategies, new hybrid tools, and the generation of interdisciplinary knowledge through practice. In this interview, they tell us what they’re currently working on.

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Photo: Philipp Meuser
Heritage preservation in times of war

Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine is also waged on Ukrainian architectural culture: Our author Falk Jaeger spoke to architect Philipp Meuser about the Ukrainian architectural legacy and the plans for reconstruction once the war is over.

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Photo: David von Netzer
All under control?

What would it be like if our society were controlled exclusively by algorithms? Under the direction of Prof. Fabian Hemmert, students from the Industrial Design department at the University of Wuppertal have developed dystopian products that are intended to sharpen our view of undesirable futures. He explains the project in this interview.

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Photo: Lego Gruppe
Building out of this world

Conventional building materials are hard to come by in space – so why not use space rock for architecture on the moon? Scientists from the European Space Agency (ESA) have found an unusual way to approach this experiment.

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Photo: Studio Tim Fu
New tools

Tim Fu is an architectural designer who specializes in working with artificial intelligence (AI). Before founding his high-tech architecture practice Studio Tim Fu, he worked for Zaha Hadid Architects. In this interview, he tells us how AI can be used in architecture.

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Photo: Vivid Vision
The future house of God

In a new district of Copenhagen, a church is currently being built based on designs by Henning Larsen Architects that point to the future – both in terms of churches and architecture.

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Photo: Nikolai Benner, Visualisierung: Andreas Lang & Tobias Trübenbacher
Sunbeams for the cityscape

Shadow does not always mean light: for a long time, the outlook for safe and environmentally friendly street lighting on the bike path between Offenbach and Frankfurt am Main was dark. The “Main Light” project is now literally bringing light into the gloom for WDC 2026 – with solar-powered lighting that democratically incorporates design and responsibility in public spaces.

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Photo: Anna Moldenhauer, Stylepark
House of Futures

The architectural office etal. has received several awards and nominations for its first new construction project, Görzer Straße 128 in Munich, including the current DAM Prize 2026. The social housing project, constructed using timber, impresses with its visible versatility and consistent use of authentic materials. We spoke with Gesche Bengtsson, Elena Masla and Zora Syren.

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Photo: Emanuele Zamponi, Stylepark
Solving conflicts: Michele De Lucchi in interview

How can we still save the world? From the viewpoint of architect and designer Michele De Lucchi, to this end we need a more productive and sustainable form of interacting. He questions conventions with empathy and an alert mind. In Milan he gives us an insight into his work, his convictions and his office.

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Photo: Filippo Romano
Living history

For Pedrali's 60th anniversary, AMDL CIRCLE and Michele De Lucchi have designed a wooden pavilion, under the roof of which Luca Molinari Studio is presenting the extraordinary success story of the company with the exhibition "Pedrali60, we design a better future".

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Photo: OMC°C
Modular climate control

The design office OMC°C is presenting the socio-ecological project ‘Schattengrün’ (Shadow Green) as part of the Frankfurt Rhine-Main region's World Design Capital 2026 programme. This project enables facades to be greened in an uncomplicated and participatory manner.

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Photo: Emanuele Zamponi, Stylepark
Quitting is not in my DNA, but you never know…!

Marva Griffin established the SaloneSatellite in 1998 and since then has made it possible for over 13,000 young designers to present their work to an international public at Salone del Mobile. She talks to us about what motivates her, her love of design and tells us about her current plans.

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Photo: FMI Fachverband Mineralwolleindustrie e.V.
Adaptive Insulation

What if the insulating effect of a building façade could be intelligently controlled in response to outdoor temperature and space heating demand? This question is being investigated by the ReVaD research project, which is developing adaptive insulation components for building envelopes – adjustable vacuum insulation panels.

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Photo: PLP Architecture
Shared difference

What kind of workspaces are ideal for neurodivergent people? And how can neurotypical people benefit from them too? Savannah Willits, team leader at PLP Labs, the research and development arm of PLP Architecture, gives us an insight into her work.

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Photo: Andy Boyle
Spotlight on Women Architects – Amale Andraos

In our series "Spotlight on Women Architects", we regularly present the work of female architects – such as Amale Andraos' architecture of polemical optimism: for an architecture that can change society.

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Photo: Weserholz
Shaping the future

The design studio and social enterprise Weserholz from Bremen uses design as a tool: From educational programmes to classic cooperation with companies, the team offers ecological and socially sustainable design. Industrial and product designer Armando Cornejo Chavez tells us in an interview what that means exactly.

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Photo: Cleaf
Call from the future

Cleaf recently celebrated its 50th anniversary with impressive installations combining architecture, interior design and product design, created by Calvi Brambilla & Partners. In this interview, the creative minds behind the project join managing director Roberto Caspani to give us an insight into their multifaceted collaboration and the new designs ‘Matrice’ and ‘Nebulosa’.

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Photo: Aurelis
City of the future

How can cities be designed for the future? Interview: Dr.-Ing. Steffen Braun, Deputy Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO and co-founder of the Fraunhofer Morgenstadt initiative.

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Photo: Teska Overbeeke
Designing Emotion

Studio Drift designs fantastic works that use complex structures, kinetics, and light to illustrate the relationships between nature, humans and technology and to question our constructed world. In the interview, Lonneke Gordijn tells us why, for the duo, emotions play a crucial role in communication and talks about the concept behind their current exhibition at the MK&G in Hamburg.

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Photo: Dr. Thomas Kusitzky
More Than Just Noise

Dr. Thomas Kusitzky is a researcher and consultant for urban sound design. In an interview he tells us why addressing the issue of sound is important for both living in and experiencing an urban area.

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Photo: Nicholas Calcott
Three questions to Jonsara Ruth

Jonsara Ruth is a designer, artist and design director of the Healthy Materials Lab, as well as the founding director of the Interior Design MFA programme at Parsons School of Design in New York City. She explains her commitment to sustainable building in an interview.

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