Dietrich l Untertrifaller

Today is ‘Tag der Umbaukultur’ – redesigning our built environment is not just about creating something new, but also about consciously rethinking what already exists.
By prioritising adaptive reuse, we conserve the CO2 that has already been built in and preserve the cultural continuity of a place.
The renovation of the Hotel Hirschengründe is just one example of this approach, where careful material selection and participatory design allow the space to remain active and evolve with its community.

Image Albrecht I. Schnabel

baukultur
     

The construction sector accounts for nearly 40% of global CO₂ emissions and over 50% of waste. Regenerative architecture offers a direct path to mitigate this impact by prioritizing renewable, circular, and locally sourced materials like wood. This approach significantly reduces embodied carbon and conserves resources.

In our view, however, regenerative architecture offers pioneering solutions precisely because it combines traditional construction methods with modern technologies.

A recent example, Wood Art, illustrate the tangible benefits of this approach by using solid wood as a natural carbon sink.
At the College in Lamballe, France, prefabricated timber modules help minimize construction waste.

The REKA Holiday Village in Urnäsch, Switzerland, was built to the Minergie-ECO standard with locally sourced wood, reducing transport emissions.

With a roof area of 22,000 m² and built with 5200 m³ of construction timber, the TUM School of Medicine and Health in Munich is one of Europe’s biggest timber structures. Its distinguishing feature is a 150 metres long roof, which consists of 40 prefabricated hollow box girders

These strategies showcase a commitment to building in a way that serves both people and the planet.

Explore our dossier on regenerative building. link in bio

Images: Florian Spring, Aldo Amoretti, Luc Boegly, Bruno Klomfar, Aldo Amoretti, David Matthiessen

The construction sector accounts for nearly 40% of global CO₂ emissions and over 50% of waste. Regenerative architecture offers a direct path to mitigate this impact by prioritizing renewable, circular, and locally sourced materials like wood. This approach significantly reduces embodied carbon and conserves resources.

In our view, however, regenerative architecture offers pioneering solutions precisely because it combines traditional construction methods with modern technologies.

A recent example, Wood Art, illustrate the tangible benefits of this approach by using solid wood as a natural carbon sink.

At the College in Lamballe, France, prefabricated timber modules help minimize construction waste.
The REKA Holiday Village in Urnäsch, Switzerland, was built to the Minergie-ECO standard with locally sourced wood, reducing transport emissions.

With a roof area of 22,000 m² and built with 5200 m³ of construction timber, the TUM School of Medicine and Health in Munich is one of Europe’s biggest timber structures. Its distinguishing feature is a 150 metres long roof, which consists of 40 prefabricated hollow box girders

These strategies showcase a commitment to building in a way that serves both people and the planet.

Explore our dossier on regenerative building.
Link in bio

Images: Florian Spring, Aldo Amoretti, Luc Boegly, Bruno Klomfar, David Matthiessen, Aldo Amoretti

We are honoured to announce the nomination of our project, the Waldorf School Mauer in Vienna, for the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – 2026.

The Waldorf School Vienna-Mauer was expanded with a harmonious addition built using sustainable wood and clay construction methods, creating a healthy, chemical-free learning environment. Generous window fronts and pergolas promote transparency and communication, while the resource-saving use of natural materials architecturally implements the concept of holistic development. The project was nominated for this combination of tradition, sustainability, and innovation.

The presented every two years by the European Commission and the Fundació Mies van der Rohe, is one of the most prestigious awards for contemporary architecture in Europe. It recognizes works that demonstrate conceptual, social, cultural, and technical excellence. The nomination acknowledges the relevance of the Waldorf School Mauer project in the European architectural discourse.

Images: Aldo Amoretti, Kurt Hoerbst

Congratulation to the entire Team
Franca Bierich, Harald Eder, Tobias Indermühle (Project Lead), Andreas Laimer, Michael Porath, Gregor Ribarich, Julian Roiser, Mia Schury, Jakob Straub, Fabio Verber 

Architecture: Dietrich Untertrifaller und Andreas Breuss

Partners
Statics concrete: Gerhard Gschwandtl ZT, Vienna 
Statics timber: .kurtpock, Klagenfurt
Building services, electricis: Immo-Objekttechnik, Vienna
Building physics: DR. PFEILER GmbH, Ingenieurgesellschaft, Graz
Fire protection: Hoyer, Vienna
Landscape: , Vienna
General contractor: , Bad Schönau

Le Palais de la Musique et des Congrès de Strasbourg fête ses 50 ans !

Les festivités débuteront le vendredi 17 octobre 2025 avec un programme exclusif.

« Vous souhaitez découvrir avec nous le concept architectural du projet de rénovation et d’extension du PMC ? Nous vous emmenons faire un petit voyage architectural dans son passé récent. » – déclare Much Untertrifaller, qui participera à la cérémonie officielle en tant qu’invité d’honneur et qui partagera des informations sur le projet avec .

Leur conférence pour le grand public aura lieu le samedi 18 octobre à 15h00 en salle Curie.

Nous sommes honoré·e·s d’avoir contribué, avec .eu (aujourd’hui rey de crécy et Lucquet Architectes), à la préservation de ce bâtiment remarquable, notamment grâce à la récente rénovation de la salle principale et du foyer, qui a conféré à ce célèbre monument une clarté contemporaine et une cohérence spatiale.

Pour en savoir plus sur le projet link in bio

Partenaires
Maîtrise d’ouvrage :
Structure et fluides : OTE Ingénierie, Illkirch; , Schiltigheim
HQE : , Strasbourg
Acoustique : Müller BBM, Munich
Scénographie : Walter Kottke, Bayreuth
Paysage : .paysage, Imbsheim
Économie, pilotage : .construction, Strasbourg
Façade : CEEF, Ramonchamp

Lessons in Bamboo: Lycée Tani Malandi, Mayotte
On the island of Mayotte, the Lycée Tani Malandi is an example of how architecture can integrate local materials and culture. In a joint effort with Austrian and French architects and local partners in Mayotte, we designed a campus for 2,000 students with classrooms, sports facilities, a library, a dining hall, and an on-site dormitory.

Clay, wood, bamboo, basalt—these ubiquitous natural materials used in this project emphasize the close relationship between the school and its surroundings. Bamboo façades are reminiscent of the woven fences of original Mahoran houses. Overhanging roofs and long pergolas in front of the classrooms are inspired by the verandas of traditional homes. The lime plaster on the gable of the gymnasium and the school refers to the name of the high school: „Tani Malandi“, which is the name of the white clay from the surrounding caves that is used for make-up at weddings or ritual ceremonies.

Learn more about the project link in bio

Visualisation: .wang

Partners
Architecture: Dietrich Untertrifaller with and
Statics, building services, electrics: Ingerop Conseil et Ingenierie
Building physics: Le Sommer Environnement, Paris
Landscape: Piton Saint-Leu, Réunion
Acoustics: Aida Acoustique, Paris
OPC: Oteis Mayotte, Mamoudzou
BIM Manager: Atelier Juno

• Welcome to the TUM Campus in Munich!
Wood instead of concrete. Let there be light instead of monuments! Exchange isolation for connection!
 
The new campus of the TUM School of Medicine and Health in the Olympic Park is an inspiring example of architecture taking responsibility for the environment, existing buildings, people, and coexistence.
 
This project is a showcase of our approach at DTFLR:
Architecture that doesn’t want to be loud – it speaks so clearly.
Clever and useful – context-aware. Resource-efficient. Human.
 

it’s all about
– an inspiring concept
– an absolute must-see



 
photos by Aldo Amoretti, Marcus Buck, David Matthiessen

– The timber roof of the TUM Campus in Munich’s Olympic Park

With a roof area of 22,000 m² and built with 5200 m³ of construction timber, the TUM Campus is one of Europe’s biggest timber structures. Its trademark is the 150 metres wide roof with a cantilever of nearly 19 metres and consisting of 40 prefabricated hollow box girders.

photo credits: Aldo Amoretti, DTFLR

“We don’t need to fail in the face of the climate crisis.”

• The NEXUS office building in Baar shows how the future is being built.

• Wood and recycled concrete are regional materials that close cycles.

• Upgradeable spaces that adapt to their users.

• Natural and inspiring: wood, concrete and light for healthy working.

NEXUS is a statement: architecture that meets needs and acts sustainably.



Visualisation: Nightnurse Images AG

Three Perspectives, One Vision

What happens when architects, designers, and consultants come together in Frankfurt?

The future of work takes shape.
Dietrich Untertrifaller, Vitra, and M.O.O.CON are joining forces to explore how to create workspaces that truly serve people and companies in our upcoming event on October 9th at the Vitra Workspace Frankfurt.
It’s about more than shared desks or open floors. It’s about understanding how architecture creates space for authentic human interaction and productive collaboration.

The solutions emerge when different expertise meets around a shared purpose. Our speakers Dominik Philipp (DTFLR), Katrin Mercsanits (M.O.O.CON), Ralf Schmitz (Vitra), and Jonathan Wieberneit (WÖHR+BAUER) will share their insights on creating work environments that prioritize collaboration, flexibility, and human connection.

📅 October 9, 2025 | 5:30 PM
📍 Vitra Workspace Frankfurt, Gutleutstr. 89, 60329 Frankfurt

– Building what lasts.

We don’t want to fail because of the climate crisis.

Sustainability doesn’t begin with sacrifice; it begins with understanding our needs. By designing buildings to be flexible and adaptable, we create spaces that evolve with us and never become outdated.

At Dietrich Untertrifaller, we specialise in updatable architecture that is modular, digitally networked and recyclable. After all, the built environment is our material warehouse of tomorrow.

Read the full interview with Dominik Philipp: Link in Bio

photo credits: DTFLR, Marcus Buck
words by Anja Koller

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