For five decades, the architectural firm wassung bader architekten has been quietly shaping the skyline and character of the Lake Constance region in Germany. Now celebrating their 50th anniversary, this family-run business has evolved from a one-man operation into a thriving team of twelve architects, with their influence extending far beyond their headquarters in the historic Villa Kaltenberg.
The story began in 1975 when architect Helge Wassung established his practice at Bärenplatz, in the same location where the Osteria restaurant stands today in Tettnang. Wassung's passion for art naturally led him to architecture, setting the foundation for what would become a multi-generational architectural legacy. His vision and dedication would eventually attract Harald Bader, who joined the firm in 1986 after his own artistic inclinations drew him to the field of architecture.
By 1991, Wassung and Bader had formalized their collaboration by establishing a partnership, marking the beginning of the firm's expansion and evolution. The business truly became a family affair when Wassung's daughter Sylke joined the company in 2002, continuing the partnership with Harald Bader. The tradition carried forward again in 2023 when Bader's son Jonas entered the firm. Harald Bader fondly recalls an anecdote about his son's early architectural inclinations: "When he was asked to draw a house in kindergarten, the teacher couldn't understand it because he had drawn a floor plan."
Today, the firm operates as a third-generation family business, with Sylke Wassung and Jonas Bader leading operations while Harald Bader serves as senior partner. Their workspace in Villa Kaltenberg, which they've occupied since the 1990s, provides a fitting backdrop for their work. The historic building, part of the protected Hofgut Kaltenberg estate, connects the hopburg and villa that commemorate significant periods in Tettnang's hop cultivation history. While the villa has been carefully restored according to historical standards, its interior buzzes with plans for future buildings throughout the region.
The firm's portfolio spans an impressive range of projects that have left lasting marks on the local landscape. Sylke Wassung particularly remembers one of her first realized projects from about 25 years ago: a passive house in Tettnang that was among the first of its kind in the region. "The clients were likeable, the project was something new and exciting. It was a beautiful experience," she recalls. Even today, passing by the building gives her a sense of satisfaction and pride.
Harald Bader also cherishes memories of his early work, including a house built around 1986 near the outdoor swimming pool that still stands today. He emphasizes that it was "a house that suited its owner," highlighting what Wassung describes as an essential aspect of their work: "Sensing what type of people the clients are, what suits them." This intuitive understanding of clients' personalities and needs represents a distinctly human element in their architectural practice.
This empathetic approach to design is something the architects believe gives them an advantage over artificial intelligence in their field. "AI will certainly be capable of developing floor plans, but it won't have the empathy to adapt to a client's personality or completely grasp the complexity of an industrial facility," Harald Bader explains. Jonas Bader views AI as a tool rather than a threat: "AI is a tool that we're given. It will shape and influence our job, but not replace it."
Throughout their 50-year journey, the firm has never shied away from embracing new technologies. Harald Bader describes the half-century as "like a time travel from the analog to the digital world." They were early adopters of digitalization, implementing CAD programs in the mid-1990s and utilizing BIM-capable software tools for about 20 years, enabling virtual, closely networked planning with all project participants. "We are technically up-to-date and at the forefront," Harald Bader notes with pride.
Like many architectural firms, wassung bader architekten has weathered various economic challenges over the decades. The construction crisis that swept through Germany didn't leave planning offices untouched, with economic conditions particularly deteriorating for firms focused on residential construction. "We had dips," Wassung acknowledges, "but fortunately, the severe cuts passed us by." Their diversified approach has been key to their resilience.
The firm's diverse portfolio serves as their strength, encompassing everything from residential buildings to industrial and commercial structures. Their projects range from church renovations and innovative micro-apartments to functional fire stations and complex large-scale developments. Notable works include the renovation of the Hopfenburg, the expansion of the former elementary school and current kindergarten in Hiltensweiler in the 1990s, the Obereisenbach multipurpose hall, the renovation of St. Maria Church around 2004, the church square design in Meckenbeuren in 2008, and the Haus der Pflege nursing facility in Tettnang, which opened around 2019.
The extent to which personal taste can influence a building depends on the type of project, according to Harald Bader. Jonas Bader explains the constraints they face: "What drives us, of course, are standardizations, DIN standards that are established, special workplace guidelines, energy-saving laws, or strict development plans. These are things that sometimes put us in a very tight corset." Despite these limitations, the firm continues to push boundaries and expand their influence beyond the regional level.
Currently, they are planning and implementing new fire stations for the company fire departments of Everllence (formerly MAN) in Augsburg and Airbus in Immenstaad. The firm has built a reputation in fire station design, winning a Europe-wide competition in 2006 for the fire station in Wangen, which remains a showcase project to this day. Their expertise in this specialized field demonstrates their ability to excel in niche architectural sectors.
Another significant long-term relationship has been with Vetter Pharma, a major regional pharmaceutical company. For approximately 20 years, the architectural firm has been planning buildings for the pharmaceutical corporation and is currently entrusted with planning Vetter's new location on the former Ford site in Saarlouis, Saarland, where thousands of employees are expected to work starting in 2030. This major project represents one of their most ambitious undertakings and showcases their capability to handle complex industrial developments.
The contrast between such large-scale projects and more intimate work exemplifies the firm's versatility. "In contrast to such a major project, there's naturally the design of an altar space," Sylke Wassung notes. "But it's precisely this diversity that has enriched our work for decades." This range of projects, from sacred spaces to industrial complexes, from residential homes to specialized facilities, reflects the comprehensive architectural vision that has defined wassung bader architekten throughout their 50-year journey and continues to shape the built environment of their region.
