CO-OP! Young Architecture – What's Up?

AENY, BENTER ARCHITEKTUR, COMMON AGENCY, FRUGAL BAUEN,
HOPE ARCHITEKTEN, ISSS RESEARCH ARCHITECTURE URBANISM, KIRCHBERGER & WIEGNER ROHDE, KRUSCHE HUANG ARCHITEKTEN,
NOTO, POLYCARBONARA, SOPHIE&HANS, STUDIO LOES, TELEINTERNETCAFE, VN-A, ZELLER & MOYE

As a critical statement on current professional practice, the BDA Berlin and the BDA Hamburg present the joint exhibition "Co-Op!"

Young architects possess a special innovative capacity to think outside the box, are not afraid to take unconventional paths, and engage in diverse collaborations. This offers them an opportunity to survive in a challenging market and make an important contribution to the urban community and building culture. What paths are young firms taking today to successfully secure commissions, and what role do collaborations play as a strategic tool?

The collaborations initiated by young colleagues, which are the subject of the exhibition, are exemplary and can inspire all architects to think about the current architectural practice. These young architects often take paths that lie outside the canon of rules and demonstrate that, despite diverse regulations and guidelines, new perspectives can be opened up.

Young and small, established firms are increasingly excluded from market access through competitions and VgV procedures. Therefore, new strategies are needed to make our work visible as a source of innovation and quality. In the wake of the construction revolution and current economic challenges, collaborations that address cross-architectural topics such as participatory process management, climate protection, and sustainability are gaining importance. At the same time, the growing challenges of building preservation are blurring the boundaries of architectural practice: Conversions often do not require permits, and new players beyond traditional architectural design are becoming part of the construction process. We should talk about this.

The exhibition aims to promote open exchange about excellent young architecture at the intersection of professional politics, public procurement, and practical experience. Discussion forums on the topics of "Cooperation – How to Live It?" and "100% Competition and Procurement Procedures" will complement the exhibitions in Berlin and Hamburg. We invite young colleagues from Hamburg and Berlin, both within the BDA and those not yet affiliated with the BDA, to participate in the debate.

Co-Op! is curated by the BDA Hamburg, the BDA Gallery Berlin, and the Working Group on Strengthening Young Offices within the BDA Berlin.

Opening: 19.9.2025, 7 pm