IFUB - Johannes Krohne & Bernhard Kurz

Berlin: Building Together, Building Better

IFUB* ("Institut für u. Baukunst") describes its philosophy as architecture and interior design for the common good. Since 2012, the studio has had branches in Munich, Berlin, and near Lake Constance, and in both its design work and office operations, it emphasizes responsibility to future generations.

In its work – particularly in residential design – the studio advocates restraint as a key element of sustainability. In housing construction, this means minimizing square meters per person, sharing facilities and spaces that save both space and energy while improving quality of life.

In the lecture, studio founders Johannes Krohne and Bernhard Kurz will discuss the development of community housing in Berlin and Germany. Using examples such as Baugruppe D2 and the Skawiener 20/4 project, they will illustrate the challenges that so-called "Baugruppen" (building groups) face in securing land in city centers, and the subsequent shift to suburban areas, as seen in the Schöner Hof project. They will also address the growing popularity of non-privatized cooperatives (Werkdorf Billberge project) and new approaches by public housing associations, exemplified by the Angler-Heimeran neighborhood in Munich.

Johannes Krohne and Bernhard Kurz are graduates of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and members of the Chamber of Architects. Their work has received numerous awards, including the Heinze Architecture Award (2025), Bayerischer Denkmalpflegepreis (2022), and the Goldenes Haus award (2021). Johannes Krohne, who also studied at TU Delft, focuses on new housing concepts and typologies with an emphasis on restraint and flexibility. Bernhard Kurz, who completed an internship at the School of Architecture and Design in Oslo, works on existing buildings, heritage preservation, and in recent years also circular construction.