“Everything from treehouses to particle accelerators”

The 32nd episode of the Witte podcast ‘Rohstoff’ features Annette Kwee and Sascha Thran talking to Michael Schumacher. Michael takes listeners on a personal journey through the history of the office – from its beginnings when it lacked a business plan, through to iconic projects such as the red Info Box at Potsdamer Platz. Schumacher talks about wild ideas and competition successes, about treehouses and particle accelerators as well as high-rise buildings in China, and how to transform existing buildings.

For him, one thing is certain: ‘An architect is someone who builds – not someone who just draws.’ The crafting and realisation of designs is driven by a creative impulse – a maxim he also teaches at Leibniz Universität in Hannover.

Michael goes on to discuss responsibility, entrepreneurship, generational change, new technologies, and how to preserve the soul of an architecture firm. The conversation ranges from dreamers to realists, art academies to construction sites, as well as teaching and leadership. In short, it is conversation about attitudes, change, and what makes good architecture.

Listen to the 40-minute podcast episode on Spotify