Co-Op!

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 pursue unconventional paths, and enter into 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, addressed in the exhibition, are exemplary and can inspire all architects to reflect on 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 addressing cross-architectural topics such as participatory process management, climate protection, and sustainability are gaining in importance. At the same time, the growing demands of building preservation are blurring the boundaries of architectural practice: Conversions often do not require permits, and new actors 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 application. Discussion forums on the topics of "Cooperations – How to Live Them?" and "100% Competition and Procurement Procedures" will complement the exhibitions in Berlin and Hamburg. We call on young colleagues from Hamburg and Berlin, both in the Federation of German Architects (BDA) and not yet in the BDA, to participate in the debate.

Opening at the BDA Gallery Berlin: 16.5.2025, 7 pm
Panel discussion: Collaborations – How to live them? 5.6.2025, 7 pm

Opening at the BDA Gallery Hamburg: 19.9.2025, 6 pm