Studio Visit: A Conversation with Christoph Hesse Architects in Their Workspace in Berlin

There is a lot to learn about architects and their projects when you begin to learn the stories behind their work. When you know where and how they draw their inspiration and how the idea becomes a reality that you can touch, feel and experience, you get a better idea of ​​why the project ended the way it was.

Together with photographer Mark Goodwin, as part of his project Atlas of Architectural Atmospheres this time in Berlin, we had the opportunity to meet German architect Christoph Hess, of Christoph Hess Architects, based in Korbach and Berlin, and talk about all these things that make up his idea of ​​architecture And his work. Meeting the creator in his or her workspace is also an added value; We went through various projects while looking at the physical models and his narration became a beautiful story about a rural place and town in Germany, its people, their lives and a sustainable future in nature.

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Through the work of practice, one can immediately understand the sensitivity and thoughtful intentions put into each project. The most important approach to design and their projects in Christophe’s office lies deep in the ethos of the community, always ready to try and work on new things, by constantly testing and doing. They like to think about projects that somehow start the building process in a different way, to consider new perspectives, and to think outside the box. The integration of a collaborative process with naturally creative people of different professions and skills, the search for deep identity, green building and self-sufficiency are all present in their work.

One of the most representative projects that includes these ideas is Open the spaces of the mind, a series of pavilions and installations in the German city of Medibach, which are meant to be spaces for gathering, reflection and contemplation within the community. The need to re-establish a connection between people, the environment and architecture is something almost tangible throughout the entire design and construction phases of Christoph Hess Architects.

First of all, we would like to know what are your main sources of inspiration? What are those things that spark ideas for your architectural projects?

On the one hand, I am inspired by the experimental and progressive character of my rural hometown in the Sauerland Highlands in Germany. I also love working with people of very different professions, such as artists, farmers, sociologists, craftspeople, and industrial workers. This is very much in line with the idea that we love creating public spaces where people can meet, exchange ideas and ideas, and most importantly, develop new ideas for the future. This is why we believe in putting the common good before the individual good, and why communication and collaboration across different social groups are so important to us and vital in all our projects.

On the other hand, since we mostly work in the countryside, we draw inspiration from the spiritual resonance between the landscape and the people there. The agricultural way of thinking about cycles is deeply ingrained in my DNA. The offerings we get from the earth and what we produce must be balanced in relation to space and nature, which means that the materials and energy we use in our projects must also be regenerated and recycled.

How does the design process work for you in general?

I usually feel something growing in my soul, not so much in my mind. Typically, when I’m in my workshop over the weekend, I do hands-on experience creating concept models and atmospheric models that may or may not translate later into a built project. I try to think and design from different perspectives, both individual and collective. Later I would like to discuss these ideas with my family and friends. My wife, children, colleagues, clients, and guests gave me some additional design ideas in a way.

The models I create while developing projects live with me for a while, but I don’t work on them. I just let them rest there and check if there’s a strong resonance between me and the models, and look forward to realizing if the connection gets stronger or flexes over time.

If I later translate these ideas into a project, I am nevertheless always concerned with a certain amount of uncontrollability, to leave some openness and freedom for new developments within the project. I like when things are unfinished and leave room for guesswork, open interpretation, and new ideas.

I like the concept of leaving my projects “unfinished” in a way that leaves room for deeper user connections over time. Leaving room for further developments results in a flexible space but at the same time, it also gives the project a sense of long-term durability.

After such a thorough and thoughtful process, what is your approach to the next steps?

Once the project is on its way, we always work in close interaction with clients, local users and craftsmen who will collaborate with the construction. We actively involve people, not only in the design but also in the construction process.

Our projects create atmospheric places to reach people on an emotional level. This often generates an intuitive drive to act within people, as in the case of Open Mind Places, where all fixtures are built with the local community. This makes the building phase enjoyable, not only because of the collaboration but also because it then makes users feel a sense of belonging to the built work once it is set in the community.

Our goal is to help reconnect the built, natural and social environment.

When it comes to materiality, we always incorporate natural and recycled materials from the beginning of the project and there is a lot of experimentation with the material itself. Using the available resources ensures that building people manage construction techniques, which is of course a sustainable approach to project delivery.