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Practice over theory. Karl Kohlbecker was hired to build for the Hertie Group while still completing his training. Hertie was a company owned by Jewish merchant Hermann Tietz and his brother Oscar. They had been developing their modern shopping mall concept since 1882. Business was booming. It was built and expanded. Architecture firm Kohlbecker was born.
Karl had plenty to do from day one.
One year after founding his architecture firm, Karl Kohlbecker lands his first major client – Daimler-Benz. Smaller jobs at the beginning quickly give way to major projects – like the “Haus der Sauberkeit” This building provided shower rooms and changing rooms to employees. It is the start of a transformation in company culture – wrapped in an architectural package.
A bird’s eye view of the Daimler-Benz factory in Gaggenau.
Karl Kohlbecker submitted his first application for planning permission on 11 January 1931. One year later, in 1932, the project was approved. A residential building with two residences is created in collaboration with builder Franz Melcher in the city of Bischweier.
Kohlbecker’s planning permission – stamped by the Rastatt District Authority.
Ein Gefühl von Silicon Valley in Unterföhring: Hier entsteht ein Campus wie aus dem Bilderbuch für eines der größten Medienunternehmen Deutschlands. Auf 26.000 Quadratmetern ist Platz für vier Studios mit neuester Produktions- und Sendetechnik. Außerdem: eine großzügige Konferenzzone, eine Cafeteria sowie 14 Dach- und Gartenterrassen. Sieben Brücken verbinden die einzelnen Gebäude untereinander. Im Sommer 2023 wird der New Campus fertiggestellt – ein hochmodernes und menschliches Arbeitsumfeld für 1.700 Beschäftigte.
Bei der Grundsteinlegung wurde eine Statue der Schutzheiligen Santa Clara in einer Zeitkapsel vergraben
With his workload continuing to grow, Karl Kohlbecker moves his main office to Berlin. The team’s endeavours in the capital include building a housing complex in Ludwigsfelde as well as constructing factories for the company Alfred Teves and main client Daimler-Benz.
No matter how much work there was to do, there was always enough time to crack open a beer once the workday was over.
On 19 March 1935, Christoph Kohlbecker was born in Gaggenau. But Christoph spends his childhood in Grunewald rather than in the Black Forest – his family joins Karl in Berlin.
Yay, an architect!
Daimler-Benz uses plans by Kohlbecker to build a factory complex for the production of large engines for aeroplanes in Genshagen near Ludwigsfelde, just south of Berlin. A total of 34,096 Daimler-Benz engines are produced here for aviation.
A Type DB 601 engine would today cost about 120,000 euros
Four young men make waves on the architecture scene: Rudolf Mewes, Fritz Schupp, Martin Krämer and Karl Kohlbecker swoop in to unexpectedly win the competition for the Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg. The project costs 200 million reichsmarks. An enormous project for Karl early on in his career.
Plenty of light for good working conditions – with a saw-tooth roof.
Together with his partners, Karl Kohlbecker builds one of the largest light metal foundries in all of Europe right there in Wernigerode: the Rautal Factory. The building is ahead of its time both technologically and architecturally. It is mainly used to manufacture cutting-edge engine parts for aeroplane production.
Windows up to ten metres high – very much in keeping with Karl Kohlbecker’s “Human Factory” style.
The VW Type 82 is born: Once the first few models had been produced in the Porsche factory near Stuttgart, mass production kicks off in Kohlbecker’s Volkswagen factory. In addition to the Kübelwagen, the Schwimmwagen was also produced.
A total of 50,788 Kübelwagens were produced in the VW factory. To this day, the VW Type 82 remains a collector’s item.
Build to give working people a sense of well-being. This was the concept behind buildings in Ludwigsfelde as well. Here, Daimler employees and their families were offered affordable living space. The settlement is used for the same purpose to this day. Nestled between Asternweg and Potsdamer streets, the development currently boasts 420 renovated residences with green space. “Best Address” as the Märkische Allgemeine describes it.
Demand for the one- to three-room residences remains high even now.
Ein Gefühl von Silicon Valley in Unterföhring: Hier entsteht ein Campus wie aus dem Bilderbuch für eines der größten Medienunternehmen Deutschlands. Auf 26.000 Quadratmetern ist Platz für vier Studios mit neuester Produktions- und Sendetechnik. Außerdem: eine großzügige Konferenzzone, eine Cafeteria sowie 14 Dach- und Gartenterrassen. Sieben Brücken verbinden die einzelnen Gebäude untereinander. Im Sommer 2023 wird der New Campus fertiggestellt – ein hochmodernes und menschliches Arbeitsumfeld für 1.700 Beschäftigte.
Bei der Grundsteinlegung wurde eine Statue der Schutzheiligen Santa Clara in einer Zeitkapsel vergraben
The plane engine factory in Ludwigsfelde was dubbed “Waldwerk”. Directly translated, this means “Forest Factory”. It sounds romantic for sure, but what it is truly referring to is the fact that the original stand of trees on the 375-hectare campus has been preserved for the most part, in order to camouflage the building. Three 6,000 square-metre halls were constructed here for Daimler-Benz. These were complemented by tooling and assembly halls, 14 inspection stations, an autonomous pumping system and, of course, a dining hall. The most modern plane engine factory in Europe. It was almost completely destroyed in 1944.
In its heyday, one twelve-cylinder engine left the factory every ten minutes.
Thanks to Karl Kohlbecker, the project to build a simple worker settlement in Berlin becomes a pilot project for modular home construction. The challenge to construct as many houses as possible at the lowest possible expense gives him an idea: standardised construction.
Two years later, Marienfelde is largely destroyed.
Two air attacks dealt a direct hit to Gaggenau, the Kohlbecker family home. The city was almost completely destroyed. Among the damaged buildings was the architecture office.
A similar fate was also in store for the offices in Berlin.
On 10 September and 3 October 1944, Allied bombers laid Gaggenau to waste.
After eleven years in Berlin, Karl Kohlbecker returned to Gaggenau. It was there he started rebuilding his hometown. In the search for a suitable location for his office, he is met with a very limited selection. So he set up a desk in the garage of the Grötz construction company.
Karl Kohlbecker was a car enthusiast. All the better that his office was in the garage.
The Kohlbecker family celebrates a big reunion in Gaggenau! His wife and children had fled to a house on Lake Constance in 1944. They finally returned to Gaggenau two years later – on Uncle Benk’s flatbed lorry. Wahoo!
Family members affectionately referred to Uncle Benk as “Benkeli”.
Up to 70 percent of Gaggenau is destroyed. Karl Kohlbecker sets to work rebuilding the city from his two-person office. He lives in a shanty that lacks electricity, but does have running water. Many of the residential buildings that would become hallmarks of Gaggenau were constructed during this time. It takes ten years to rebuild the city – a process that is completed in 1957 with the construction of the new city hall.
The idyllic building and garden – created by Karl Kohlbecker.
Ein Gefühl von Silicon Valley in Unterföhring: Hier entsteht ein Campus wie aus dem Bilderbuch für eines der größten Medienunternehmen Deutschlands. Auf 26.000 Quadratmetern ist Platz für vier Studios mit neuester Produktions- und Sendetechnik. Außerdem: eine großzügige Konferenzzone, eine Cafeteria sowie 14 Dach- und Gartenterrassen. Sieben Brücken verbinden die einzelnen Gebäude untereinander. Im Sommer 2023 wird der New Campus fertiggestellt – ein hochmodernes und menschliches Arbeitsumfeld für 1.700 Beschäftigte.
Bei der Grundsteinlegung wurde eine Statue der Schutzheiligen Santa Clara in einer Zeitkapsel vergraben
Ein Gefühl von Silicon Valley in Unterföhring: Hier entsteht ein Campus wie aus dem Bilderbuch für eines der größten Medienunternehmen Deutschlands. Auf 26.000 Quadratmetern ist Platz für vier Studios mit neuester Produktions- und Sendetechnik. Außerdem: eine großzügige Konferenzzone, eine Cafeteria sowie 14 Dach- und Gartenterrassen. Sieben Brücken verbinden die einzelnen Gebäude untereinander. Im Sommer 2023 wird der New Campus fertiggestellt – ein hochmodernes und menschliches Arbeitsumfeld für 1.700 Beschäftigte.
Bei der Grundsteinlegung wurde eine Statue der Schutzheiligen Santa Clara in einer Zeitkapsel vergraben
Ein Gefühl von Silicon Valley in Unterföhring: Hier entsteht ein Campus wie aus dem Bilderbuch für eines der größten Medienunternehmen Deutschlands. Auf 26.000 Quadratmetern ist Platz für vier Studios mit neuester Produktions- und Sendetechnik. Außerdem: eine großzügige Konferenzzone, eine Cafeteria sowie 14 Dach- und Gartenterrassen. Sieben Brücken verbinden die einzelnen Gebäude untereinander. Im Sommer 2023 wird der New Campus fertiggestellt – ein hochmodernes und menschliches Arbeitsumfeld für 1.700 Beschäftigte.
Bei der Grundsteinlegung wurde eine Statue der Schutzheiligen Santa Clara in einer Zeitkapsel vergraben
Ein Gefühl von Silicon Valley in Unterföhring: Hier entsteht ein Campus wie aus dem Bilderbuch für eines der größten Medienunternehmen Deutschlands. Auf 26.000 Quadratmetern ist Platz für vier Studios mit neuester Produktions- und Sendetechnik. Außerdem: eine großzügige Konferenzzone, eine Cafeteria sowie 14 Dach- und Gartenterrassen. Sieben Brücken verbinden die einzelnen Gebäude untereinander. Im Sommer 2023 wird der New Campus fertiggestellt – ein hochmodernes und menschliches Arbeitsumfeld für 1.700 Beschäftigte.
Bei der Grundsteinlegung wurde eine Statue der Schutzheiligen Santa Clara in einer Zeitkapsel vergraben
Ein Gefühl von Silicon Valley in Unterföhring: Hier entsteht ein Campus wie aus dem Bilderbuch für eines der größten Medienunternehmen Deutschlands. Auf 26.000 Quadratmetern ist Platz für vier Studios mit neuester Produktions- und Sendetechnik. Außerdem: eine großzügige Konferenzzone, eine Cafeteria sowie 14 Dach- und Gartenterrassen. Sieben Brücken verbinden die einzelnen Gebäude untereinander. Im Sommer 2023 wird der New Campus fertiggestellt – ein hochmodernes und menschliches Arbeitsumfeld für 1.700 Beschäftigte.
Bei der Grundsteinlegung wurde eine Statue der Schutzheiligen Santa Clara in einer Zeitkapsel vergraben
The French occupation zone was one of four occupation zones in Germany after the war. Baden-Baden functioned as the seat of the central military government (Gouvernement militaire de la zone française d’occupation) starting at the end of July 1945. In addition to managing the distribution of almost all vital essentials, its main responsibility was to start the reconstruction. Experts like Karl Kohlbecker were immediately involved in planning.
Building is existential. Over 70 percent of residential space in many of the cities had been bombed out.
French occupying forces hired Karl Kohlbecker to build modern residential complexes, hospital wards and schools. Everything culminated in the literal high point of the French administration centre, referred to as “BABO” (Bâtiment Administratif de Baden-Oos). It was the first building in Europe with a curtain wall. And the only skyscraper in Baden-Baden.
The “BABO” is now a protected historic site.
Karl Kohlbecker loves parties and company excursions. In addition to spring festival dances and local festivals, there are also boisterous Christmas celebrations. Thirty-five employees join the Kohlbecker family in raising a toast to an eventful and raucous year. Traditional goose graces the table to help them keep their strength up.
Both Karl and his employees are dressed to the nines to attend the goose dinner.
In 1945, the Daimler-Benz factory located in Sindelfingen since 1915 was gutted by bombing. The pressing plant was spared though, thus making it possible to quickly resume production. There are more workers in the factory than there were residents in Sindelfingen by 1956. And Daimler-Benz continued to invest in the region – there were plans to expand the factory. Karl Kohlbecker is in charge of planning.
Today, the Mercedes factory in Sindelfingen is five times as large.
History has witnessed two Karl Kohlbeckers. The first one became mayor of Gaggenau in 1902. In 1906, he built a city hall – and became the father to a son the same year. This little boy was also named Karl Kohlbecker and would go on to start his own architecture firm. When the old city hall was destroyed in the Second World War, Karl followed in the footsteps of his father – and built a new one.
City hall remains unchanged to this day.
Factories, residences, offices, hotels: The Kohlbecker portfolio continues to grow – and even a church is added to the mix in 1958. A chapel for blessing services is constructed in the Freiolsheim district of Gaggenau based on plans by Karl Kohlbecker.
Gaggenau-Freiolsheim is part of the Freiburg archdiocese – the third-largest archbishopric in Germany.
“Finish your studies quickly”, Karl told Christoph. He promised a year abroad as a reward. At the age of 24, after nine semesters of study, Christoph Kohlbecker has earned a degree in engineering. But the trip abroad came to nothing. “You have to get to the office immediately!” Karl called – the first project was waiting. An administration building for Fichtel & Sachs. Christoph joins the Company in 1959.
How was working with his father? “Pretty much effortless. Unlike anything you would expect”.
Christoph’s first project: construction of an administration building and cafeteria for Fichtel & Sachs. And that was only because Karl Kohlbecker wasn’t in the mood to spend hours speaking with the plant manager’s secretary. “You have to do that!”, he told Christoph. For the time being, planning for the Daimler-Benz factory buildings was up to the boss.
Human-friendly architecture for 2,500 employees.
The customer centre built by Kohlbecker in Sindelfingen became wildly popular. Anyone having to drop their car at the shop could wait quite comfortably in the sun. Karl Kohlbecker also frequents this spot, not just as the head architect, but also as a customer. He convinced the production manager to make him an S Class in two colours – grey on the bottom and purple on top. It was the first dual-tone car created by Mercedes.
Time simply flew by chatting with the others in the waiting room.
In 1960, Daimler-Benz purchased “Wörth Island” in the middle of the Rheinauen. Instead of the planned engine factory, the largest lorry assembly facility in the world is built here. Karl Kohlbecker provides plans for construction. The first LP 608 model lorry rolled off the production line in 1965. Over 10,000 employees are employed there today.
Up to 100,000 lorries are made here every year.
The Company’s workload is increasingly taken over by the car industry. In addition to Daimler-Benz, Audi (known back then as Auto Union) also approaches Kohlbecker. Together they build a factory as well as several administration buildings in Ingolstadt, where Audi’s headquarters remain to this day.
Audi was known as “Audi NSU Auto Union AG” up until 1985.
Ein Gefühl von Silicon Valley in Unterföhring: Hier entsteht ein Campus wie aus dem Bilderbuch für eines der größten Medienunternehmen Deutschlands. Auf 26.000 Quadratmetern ist Platz für vier Studios mit neuester Produktions- und Sendetechnik. Außerdem: eine großzügige Konferenzzone, eine Cafeteria sowie 14 Dach- und Gartenterrassen. Sieben Brücken verbinden die einzelnen Gebäude untereinander. Im Sommer 2023 wird der New Campus fertiggestellt – ein hochmodernes und menschliches Arbeitsumfeld für 1.700 Beschäftigte.
Bei der Grundsteinlegung wurde eine Statue der Schutzheiligen Santa Clara in einer Zeitkapsel vergraben
A new generation joins the family company: Matthias Kohlbecker is born. Originally intent on becoming a forester, the young man discovers during a work placement that he would prefer to use wood rather than count it. So he commences studies at FH Biberach. The subsequent work placement is much more exciting than his last one had been: He travels to New York to work with star architect and Pritzker Architecture Prize winner, Richard Meier.
Matthias had always wanted to contribute – in keeping with the motto: “Don’t dawdle, get to work”.
Tourists adore Murgtal in the Black Forest – and increasingly flock to the region to hike and enjoy nature. The spa hotel in Forbach was intended as a place for healing and relaxation. A modern activity centre was created along the Murg with a mini golf course, a billiards and table-tennis room, and a fully automatic bowling alley. Guests are welcome to relax on the shaded sun terrace, in the pool, or with a meal at one of the restaurants and inns. The spa hotel is a central spa complex – and a popular motif for postcards.
Today, the historic complex is referred to as “Das Waldhaus”, which translates directly to “The Forest House”.
While building the Sparkasse branch in the city centre of Gaggenau, Karl Kohlbecker is confronted with a tricky problem – the building footprint is very small. After a series of designs, he finds a solution: Featuring a hexagonal footprint, the design works from an urban planning perspective, while also being functional for the people going in and out. The building also draws attention to the train station passage and Rosengasse Street. It gives visitors to the city arriving at the train station a good landmark to help them navigate on their way to the city centre. Just follow the money.
Today, discussions are underway about putting apartments in the Sparkasse tower.
Paper and pencil were the tools of the trade in architecture until 1968. It took just one project from IBM to change everything. Kohlbecker was charged with building the first semi-conductor factory in Europe in Sindelfingen. With the help of IBM, Kohlbecker became a pioneer in the use of digital technology for architectural applications. Creating a master plan isn’t standard practice among German architects. All of this gave Kohlbecker an enormous competitive edge worldwide.
The computer: two metres tall, one metre wide and 80 centimetres deep.
An old monastery used temporarily as a factory, then converted to a hotel: Renovations of Dominicans Island in Lake Constance near the city of Constance would soon be underway. The regional government of Baden-Württemberg hires Christoph Kohlbecker directly. Christoph transforms it into a wonderful hotel. To this day, it is operated as one of the 31 Steigenberger hotels.
Rothaus Brewery owns the island hotel.
One of the most prominent post-war modern architects, Egon Eiermann, was a colleague and friend of Karl Kohlbecker. Together, they created the Horten tile for the Hertie family. And of course Eiermann couldn't pass up the chance to train Christoph. They came together to create outstanding architecture – such as the graceful steel construction of the new building for Daimler-Benz in Sindelfingen.
Human-friendly architecture by Christoph Kohlbecker – also inspired by Egon Eiermann.
Christoph Kohlbecker is on the job – for the police. He is hired by the government to build a police academy in Biberach near Ulm. Police aren’t the only ones training here. Training simulations, defence training and shooting practice: Christoph carefully considers all of it to construct a school that meets the highest standards. Even years later, the school remains an exemplary project: In 2015, it was the first building in the federal state with its own hybrid heating and power station generating electricity and heat.
When police lift
With the acquisition of IBM as a major client, the workload grows. The Kohlbecker offices start taking charge of more than just the design and configuration of the buildings, they also look after the construction project’s technical and administrative tasks. A GmbH is founded for comprehensive planning services in addition to the simple architecture office.
Throughout the collaboration, Kohlbecker learns from IBM and IBM learns from Kohlbecker.
Christoph's second son is born: Florian. After earning his architecture degree, he spends a long time working with Renzo Piano. But Florian is much more than an architect. He also gathered experience as a carpenter for a time, and he loves to ski. In 2006, his passion for wood and winter sports gave birth to the brand Black Forest Ski - Worlds First Ski Created By Architects.
Two aspiring architects meet: Florian and Matthias Kohlbecker.
The regional government of Baden-Württemberg is so impressed with the conversion of Island Hotel Constance that they hire Kohlbecker for additional projects. Christoph Kohlbecker does more than just build the police academy in Biberach near Ulm. He built others as well. This time near Lahr in the Black Forest.
Attention, police: Classes, shooting training and simulation drills are held here.
Work where others go on holiday: Between Aguadulce and Almeria on the craggy coast of Andalusia, Christoph Kohlbecker conjured up an impressive beach hotel. La Parra is perched directly on the turquoise blue water of the western Mediterranean, nestled between cliffs and palm trees. Featuring 160 double rooms and a delightful sun terrace with swimming pool and hot tub, the hotel is especially popular among families with children. Mucho gusto!
Today, the hotel is named Diverhotel Odyssey – the façade remains unchanged.
The “Hulb” is the oldest industrial park in Böblingen. Its name is derived from the Middle German word for marsh or puddle. Given the historic significance of this location, another name would actually be much more fitting: Where cavemen once hunted mammoths, the hunt is now pulsating with technical innovation. In the middle of it all are Kohlbecker and IBM. Together they collaborate to build the most modern semi-conductor factory in Europe.
During construction for IBM, objects such as mammoth tusks were unearthed.
Ein Gefühl von Silicon Valley in Unterföhring: Hier entsteht ein Campus wie aus dem Bilderbuch für eines der größten Medienunternehmen Deutschlands. Auf 26.000 Quadratmetern ist Platz für vier Studios mit neuester Produktions- und Sendetechnik. Außerdem: eine großzügige Konferenzzone, eine Cafeteria sowie 14 Dach- und Gartenterrassen. Sieben Brücken verbinden die einzelnen Gebäude untereinander. Im Sommer 2023 wird der New Campus fertiggestellt – ein hochmodernes und menschliches Arbeitsumfeld für 1.700 Beschäftigte.
Bei der Grundsteinlegung wurde eine Statue der Schutzheiligen Santa Clara in einer Zeitkapsel vergraben
When the Baden-Baden regional spa is transformed into the federal rheumatism centre, the builders are faced with a difficult challenge: How to implement this huge project without obscuring local Baden-Baden residents’ view of the beautiful Rotenbachtal? The answer: with Kohlbecker. Through a series of clever tricks, the big renovation and new construction of the “Landesbad Regional Spa” was completed just one decade later – without having to close the clinic for a single day. It created the largest and most modern internal rheumatic hospital unit in the region.
For over 400 years now, the current clinic has functioned as a spa for the less fortunate.
Ein Gefühl von Silicon Valley in Unterföhring: Hier entsteht ein Campus wie aus dem Bilderbuch für eines der größten Medienunternehmen Deutschlands. Auf 26.000 Quadratmetern ist Platz für vier Studios mit neuester Produktions- und Sendetechnik. Außerdem: eine großzügige Konferenzzone, eine Cafeteria sowie 14 Dach- und Gartenterrassen. Sieben Brücken verbinden die einzelnen Gebäude untereinander. Im Sommer 2023 wird der New Campus fertiggestellt – ein hochmodernes und menschliches Arbeitsumfeld für 1.700 Beschäftigte.
Bei der Grundsteinlegung wurde eine Statue der Schutzheiligen Santa Clara in einer Zeitkapsel vergraben
The Daimler-Benz factory in Sindelfingen triples in size within 24 years. Thanks to the careful planning of Karl Kohlbecker, the factory does not place undue burden on the regional infrastructure. Every year, 30,000 people assemble over 100,000 vehicles there.
Between 1979 and 1984, 493 million Deutschmarks were invested in the factory each year.
Collaboration with Daimler continues to intensify and becomes increasingly more extensive. At the same time, Karl Kohlbecker’s health begins to decline. So Christoph Kohlbecker takes the reins and takes charge of the Mercedes factory expansion in Sindelfingen, among other projects. A pressing plant is constructed there under his leadership. Work runs so smoothly in fact that Daimler and Kohlbecker sign an exclusivity agreement at the end of the 80s.
The systems in the Sindelfingen factory are capable of delivering 7,400 tonnes of force.
With his concept of the “human factory”, Karl Kohlbecker was instrumental in shaping industrial architecture. A high quality of life shouldn't end when workers cross the threshold of the factory. A humane concept. And one with a business advantage: When people are happy, everything runs more smoothly.
A pragmatist, Karl Kohlbecker always felt most at home on the construction site.
Ein Gefühl von Silicon Valley in Unterföhring: Hier entsteht ein Campus wie aus dem Bilderbuch für eines der größten Medienunternehmen Deutschlands. Auf 26.000 Quadratmetern ist Platz für vier Studios mit neuester Produktions- und Sendetechnik. Außerdem: eine großzügige Konferenzzone, eine Cafeteria sowie 14 Dach- und Gartenterrassen. Sieben Brücken verbinden die einzelnen Gebäude untereinander. Im Sommer 2023 wird der New Campus fertiggestellt – ein hochmodernes und menschliches Arbeitsumfeld für 1.700 Beschäftigte.
Bei der Grundsteinlegung wurde eine Statue der Schutzheiligen Santa Clara in einer Zeitkapsel vergraben
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG is one of the world leaders in sheet offset printing presses. With his innovative design for the factory in Amstetten, Christoph Kohlbecker surprised the leadership team. The centre of excellence in the production of cast parts is also one of the most modern foundries in Europe to this day.
It was here that the 1,000,000th printing cylinder was delivered in 2010.
Tchibo is fond of giving away practical gifts, such as cookbooks and fragrance bottles, with its coffee. Starting in 1973, however, that was considered a violation of the Gifts Regulation Act. So Tchibo sold its remaining inventory. A complete success. From now on, the motto was: “A new world each week”. As a result of the high logistical demands of non-food items, Kohlbecker is tasked with constructing a modern warehouse and distribution centre. Tchibo chooses the community of Gallin in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania as its location.
Gallin is home to 582 people – many of whom work at Tchibo.
Ein Gefühl von Silicon Valley in Unterföhring: Hier entsteht ein Campus wie aus dem Bilderbuch für eines der größten Medienunternehmen Deutschlands. Auf 26.000 Quadratmetern ist Platz für vier Studios mit neuester Produktions- und Sendetechnik. Außerdem: eine großzügige Konferenzzone, eine Cafeteria sowie 14 Dach- und Gartenterrassen. Sieben Brücken verbinden die einzelnen Gebäude untereinander. Im Sommer 2023 wird der New Campus fertiggestellt – ein hochmodernes und menschliches Arbeitsumfeld für 1.700 Beschäftigte.
Bei der Grundsteinlegung wurde eine Statue der Schutzheiligen Santa Clara in einer Zeitkapsel vergraben
Family company “Süddeutsche Elektromotoren-Werke” is going full speed ahead. Assembly lines for Audi, drink filling systems for Coca Cola: Strong production growth is outstripping capacity at the factory in Bruchsal. A large factory building is established in neighbouring Graben-Neudorf with plenty of room for growth. It is here that another family company comes on the scene: Kohlbecker. The company builds a state-of-the-art plant for producing electric engine parts.
Kohlbecker as well as SEW have been around for 90 years.
Ein Gefühl von Silicon Valley in Unterföhring: Hier entsteht ein Campus wie aus dem Bilderbuch für eines der größten Medienunternehmen Deutschlands. Auf 26.000 Quadratmetern ist Platz für vier Studios mit neuester Produktions- und Sendetechnik. Außerdem: eine großzügige Konferenzzone, eine Cafeteria sowie 14 Dach- und Gartenterrassen. Sieben Brücken verbinden die einzelnen Gebäude untereinander. Im Sommer 2023 wird der New Campus fertiggestellt – ein hochmodernes und menschliches Arbeitsumfeld für 1.700 Beschäftigte.
Bei der Grundsteinlegung wurde eine Statue der Schutzheiligen Santa Clara in einer Zeitkapsel vergraben
Daimler-Benz head Edzar Reuter has a dream: an integrated technology company for transportation of all kinds. To realise that dream, the MTU Group merges with the newly founded DASA in 1989. Deutsche Aerospace AG is an icon of the German aeronautics and astronautics industry. Retuer’s dream becomes a reality. And the MTU? Kohlbecker builds a new administration building for it in Munich – where the publicly listed company’s headquarters are located to this day.
Half of Munich is reflected in this building.
Ein Gefühl von Silicon Valley in Unterföhring: Hier entsteht ein Campus wie aus dem Bilderbuch für eines der größten Medienunternehmen Deutschlands. Auf 26.000 Quadratmetern ist Platz für vier Studios mit neuester Produktions- und Sendetechnik. Außerdem: eine großzügige Konferenzzone, eine Cafeteria sowie 14 Dach- und Gartenterrassen. Sieben Brücken verbinden die einzelnen Gebäude untereinander. Im Sommer 2023 wird der New Campus fertiggestellt – ein hochmodernes und menschliches Arbeitsumfeld für 1.700 Beschäftigte.
Bei der Grundsteinlegung wurde eine Statue der Schutzheiligen Santa Clara in einer Zeitkapsel vergraben
The long-time partnership between Daimler-Benz and Kohlbecker is still going strong. Christoph continues to impress with his innovative designs and rapid implementation. With the assembly hall for E Class cars in the Rastatt factory, for example. To ensure pleasant working conditions, an impressive open-air courtyard is created in the first stage of construction to let light into the factory halls. When the A Class is introduced, however, Christoph’s talent for improvisation becomes vital – he redesigns the entire open-air courtyard again.
Former Chancellor Dr Helmut Kohl dedicated the new factory.
Christoph Kohlbecker collaborates with architect Renzo Piano on the plan for the new Mercedez-Benz design centre. Upon a request from head designer Bruno Sacco. Concerning his work at Mercedes, Sacco said: “I do not just want art for art’s sake. I also want success”. A viewpoint that was shared by Christoph Kohlbecker.
Good mood from left to right: Renzo Piano, Christoph Kohlbecker and Bruno Sacco.
No sooner had Matthias Kohlbecker finished the final project for his university degree was he rushing to Berlin for the briefing on the competition for Potsdamer Platz. The Kohlbecker and Renzo Piano offices compete for the project as a team. Afterwards, Matthias spends two and a half months in Paris to work on the design with Renzo Piano. Christoph checks in on his son once each week in Paris. The team wins first place.
Timeless architecture reaching 101 metres into the sky arises on 45,100 square metres.
Ein Gefühl von Silicon Valley in Unterföhring: Hier entsteht ein Campus wie aus dem Bilderbuch für eines der größten Medienunternehmen Deutschlands. Auf 26.000 Quadratmetern ist Platz für vier Studios mit neuester Produktions- und Sendetechnik. Außerdem: eine großzügige Konferenzzone, eine Cafeteria sowie 14 Dach- und Gartenterrassen. Sieben Brücken verbinden die einzelnen Gebäude untereinander. Im Sommer 2023 wird der New Campus fertiggestellt – ein hochmodernes und menschliches Arbeitsumfeld für 1.700 Beschäftigte.
Bei der Grundsteinlegung wurde eine Statue der Schutzheiligen Santa Clara in einer Zeitkapsel vergraben
A new office is needed for the private ODO BHF bank. Kohlbecker is awarded the contract – and celebrates a first: It is the first general contractor project in Company history. From the very start all the way through to completion, Kohlbecker runs a tight ship and hands over a turnkey building.
Kohlbecker designed this extraordinary glass façade completely by hand.
As Matthias Kohlbecker learns the ropes at the office, he gains shares in his father's company. Exactly in the same way Karl introduced his son Christoph to the Company. And Matthias has plenty to do: Construction on the Potsdamer Platz project is just heating up. To make it all happen, Matthias has to coordinate with a host of other architects. Yet he never becomes frazzled. He had created a mantra for himself that is as true today as it was then: “If you have no idea, be silent and figure it out”.
Matthias holds no fondness for theory – he is a doer, like his father.
Kohlbecker always ensures his work is as energy-efficient as possible and he always makes efficient use of resources. The major Potsdamer Platz project is no exception. Kohlbecker, Renzo Piano and their team invest one year of research into the design of a highly energy-efficient building. How does that work? With natural air circulation and ventilation in the office spaces, maximised use of daylight and the exclusion of an air conditioner.
The roof surface of the atrium is covered in plants – the rainwater is collected in cisterns.
Construction of Potsdamer Platz brings something new to Germany: the IMAX cinema. One special feature is the swivelling, dome-shaped screen. The cinema designed by Kohlbecker and Renzo Piano had by that time become one of the most successful IMAX cinemas in the world. In 2007, the Blue Man Group moved in and still performs there to this day.
To create the dome, a 35-metre diameter balloon was filled with air and covered in concrete.
Kohlbecker is always planning ahead – construction of the coachwork storage warehouse in Bremen for Daimler-Benz was planned twenty years in advance. A master plan was developed for the Mercedes factory in Bremen that contained all possible expansions and add-ons. Werner Niefer was so impressed with the concept that he made sure master plans were used at all future Mercedes factories.
Here, coachwork is stored, sorted and picked under full automation.
Is this a campus in Silicon Valley or the Daimler-Benz campus in Sindelfingen? Ideas now obtained as new work were being used by Kohlbecker years ago. Among the clinical, linear industrial structures, a little employee village is created with a market square, cafeteria, events area and informative display window. Meeting points for productivity and well-being.
The concept is configured with the intention of creating a city with an open, communicative atmosphere
The German economy weakens. The first recession since 1993 looms. An alarm signal for Kohlbecker. But Matthias has a plan: “We have to do more abroad!” He wins a project in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. In collaboration with American architects, he expands the offices of the Mercedes-Benz M Class factory. It kicks off a series of orders from overseas. Employees fly to China, Korea and America for Bosch, Siemens and Mercedes.
The largest employer in Gaggenau is now also the biggest employer in Tuscaloosa.
Florian Kohlbecker, Matthias Kohlbecker's younger brother, gets to work right after graduating from university. Not just anywhere though. In Paris. Not for just anyone. For Renzo Piano. With resounding success. Three months turned into two years. Florian did such good work that his father, Christoph, rolled out the red carpet for him to take over as the head manager of Kohlbecker Gesamtplan GmbH – together with Matthias. Eager to get to work, Florian returned to the family company in Gaggenau.
As a going away present, Florian received a book filled with notes from his colleagues. And Eiffel Tower sketches.
Car manufacturers aren’t the only ones with a platform strategy – Kohlbecker has one too. A revolutionary new standardisation is utilised for a new engine factory in Kölleda near Erfurt: Building structure, roof and façade as well as ground slab are defined based on a standard catalogue. And the plan to create a human-friendly factory takes flight. Today, one out of two Mercedes-Benz engines are built there.
Ten million combustion engines have been manufactured since production commenced.
The company restaurant belonging to DaimlerChrysler AG headquartered in Gaggenau was fifty years old. Retrofitting just isn’t enough, so the existing building is restructured. What was the recipe for this new-fangled production process for the industrial sized kitchen? Just take an optimised layout, pleasing food presentation and as the cherry on top: Front cooking areas. Everything receives a brand new facelift, so that the personnel as well as guests feel at home.
Offers light, air and a sense of well-being: the glass façade on the northwest side.
A glass think tank for all things Van and a magnet for qualified experts. Van Technology Centre for Mercedes-Benz brings together expertise, while also creating 1,000 jobs. The swaying shape of the building is not a mere gimmick, but rather a necessity arising from the narrow layout of the property. Another advantage of the ellipse is that is ensures short paths of travel: All levels are connected via a bridge crossing over two inner courtyards. This ensures that colleagues are always running into each other – to aid in shorter paths of communication and decision-making.
A modern, human-friendly working environment spread across 38,000 square metres.
Just next door to the birthplace of the car in Bad Cannstatt, the Mercedes-Benz Centre is built. The 10,000 square-metre presentation area can be used for permanent exhibitions as well as events for the automotive industry. Transformation of the typical car dealership into an interactive world of experiences produces good results for sales and clients.
130 vehicles await on three offset levels.
Ramstein, Rhineland-Palatinate is home to the largest personnel facility of the US Air Force in Europe. It is here that Kohlbecker builds the dual bay hangar. A project full of superlatives in which not one, but two Lockheed C-130s are maintained. This model of aeroplane is used worldwide in crisis areas – as they were in 1976 for the legendary Operation Entebbe carried out to free Israeli hostages.
Valet parking for two C-130s. Or one C-17 Globemaster with a wingspan of 52 metres.
Young explorers and researchers thrill at the chance to experience the real deal at Sensapolis in the Böblingen children's theme park: the world’s largest interactive replica of a real space shuttle. There are some things for young astronauts to discover inside the spaceship: a lab, a medical centre, a nursery for aliens and a 3D cinema. Right in the middle of this wild action is Kohlbecker. The Company is responsible for the design and implementation of the space shuttle.
Pew, pew: Here children can experience their own personal star wars.
Kohlbecker is an internationally renowned architecture company – not just in the west, but also in Russia. In addition to working on residential designs in Krasnodar and Dagestan, Matthias Kohlbecker is also hired to work on the Olympic Village in Sochi. For the winter games of 2014, Kohlbecker also constructs the ski jumping hill.
A total of EUR 21 billion was invested in Sochi.
Boris Nikolajewitsch Jelzin harboured the dream of a Disneyland in Russia as early as 1994. At least Olympic euphoria gave rise to an amusement park that radiates the same kind of magic. Sochi Park – the theme park of the Olympic Games of 2014. It is a Black Forest collaboration. Kohlbecker is responsible for the master plan of the park, and family company Mack Rides supplies some of the carnival rides to the coast of the Black Sea. All of the fun cost EUR 400 million. Another 150 shops, restaurants and a hotel are built next to the park.
Sochi Park is the first major theme park in Russia.
This slogan from Jean D’Arcel could be about Kohlbecker’s work. The new three-story administration building of the cosmetics producer in Kehl was built to look like a monitor. Especially clever: On the temporary back side of the building, there is space to add two and a half times more length to the building. On the second floor, a windowed walkway connects the administration building with existing production buildings.
The office area was constructed with as few pillars as possible.
The PKW full production factory in Kecskemét is an example of good general planning. Kohlbecker plans the factory 100 percent digitally and three-dimensionally. This facilitates effective synchronised work within a short period of time. Today, the factory is expandable and also replicable. Not only that, but the building is also one of the most cost-effective built by Daimler to date.
Mercedes-Benz created 3,000 jobs in Kecskemét.
“I have found better building conditions just about everywhere else in the world”, says Matthias Kohlbecker of the planned construction site for the ski jump hill in Sochi. The ground full of mudstone presents a special challenge. Subterranean caverns leave the ground potentially unstable, especially when it is soaked in water. But Matthias Kohlbecker believes that it can be done and he will be proven right. The ski jump hill is created in 2013.
It was here that the German team won gold in the team jump competition in 2014.
It is a legend of Gaggenau: the Unimog. Daimler-Benz commenced production in the lorry factory in Gaggenau in 1951. Numerous and varied Unimog models have been created here. The popular U411, which was available at the price of 12,500 Deutschmarks, quickly achieved cult status. Production is moved to Wörth in 2002, but the memories lingered. The Unimog museum is built in Gaggenau in 2006. For the building with the wooden façade made of local woods, the team led by Florian Kohlbecker was awarded the Hugo-Häring Prize in 2014.
A total of 39,581 Unimog 411 vehicles were produced in Gaggenau.
Goodbye Bonn! Haribo moves its headquarters to the little town of Grafschaft. Factory, logistics and administration all in one place – that sounds like a job for Kohlbecker. The Company builds one of the most modern gummy candy factories in the world with a state-of-the-art production line. It gives rise to one of the largest fully automatic high rack warehouses in Germany. Anyone travelling on Highway 61 is sure to see it from a mile away.
Each day, 750 lorries leave Grafschaft with liquorice wheels, sweets, and colourful gummy bears to deliver worldwide.
Kohlbecker is growing. This family company is surrounded by a large network of partners. BFC (Black Forest Company) Holding GmbH was founded to manage all of these. The head of the operation: Florian Kohlbecker. Having acted as the CEO of the architecture company since 2005, Kohlbecker now supports a network encompassing a wide range of planning and construction expertise.
In his Holding BFC, Florian Kohlbecker brings all aspects of construction culture together.
Building a factory is complicated, but it is sure to go faster than expected with Kohlbecker's experience. The new Jaguar Land Rover factory in Slovakian Nitra is finished four months early. Just one more example of the benefits of precise general planning by Kohlbecker.
At the end of 2018, the first Land Rover Discovery rolled off the line.
E-mobility is advancing – and BMW is going to need a new factory in order to be ready for the change. The factory must set an example of sustainability and digitalisation for the entire automotive industry. Not a problem for Kohlbecker. BMW chooses the Eastern Hungarian city of Debrecen as its location. Here, 1,000 employees will soon be producing 150,000 electric cars each year for the European market.
The total investment here is EUR 1 billion.
It is one of the most exciting construction projects in Berlin: the GoWest business district. There is more to this space than classic city planning. This place is all about futuristic architecture – which has been the Kohlbecker Company’s mode of operation since its establishment. Sustainable concepts, car-free walkways, and the combination of business and culture. For these plans, the project was pre-certified at the highest level, platinum, by the German Sustainable Building Council.
GoWest is built on the premises of the old Reemtsma tobacco factory.
Christoph Kohlbecker was always known for being practical. When people felt good in his buildings, he knew: He did everything right. This was the principle he lived and built by. He always felt a deep connection with his hometown of Gaggenau and its residents – and in 2010, he was named an honorary citizen. Mayor Florus said of Christoph Kohlbecker: “He was a gift to us”.
On 20 August 2020, Christoph Kohlbecker died at the age of 85.
A Silicon Valley feel in Unterföhring: A campus is being created here that looks as if it came straight out of a storybook for one of the largest media companies in Germany. The 26,000 square metres offer plenty of space for four studios with the latest production and transmission technology. Not only that: a large conference area, a cafeteria, as well as 14 roof and garden terraces. Seven bridges connect the individual buildings to each other. In Summer 2023, the new campus will be completed – a state-of-the-art and human environment for 1,700 workers.
At the laying of the cornerstone, a statue of the guardian angel Santa Clara was buried in a time capsule.