The Dorbritz Architecture Firm is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, marking seven decades of architectural excellence that has significantly shaped the cityscape of Bad Hersfeld and beyond. Founded in 1955 by Martin Dorbritz, the family-owned business has grown from a modest one-man operation to a thriving architectural practice now led by three generations of the Dorbritz family.
Martin Dorbritz established the firm as a solo practitioner working from a modest 40-square-meter space in a half-timbered house at Kirchplatz, initially focusing on private clients. However, the business quickly expanded to include public sector projects, allowing the firm to hire additional staff members. The company's growth necessitated several relocations, first moving to the basement of a newly constructed residential building on Gustav-Freytag-Straße in 1960, and then in 1972 to the ground floor of a building designed in the distinctive Dorbritz style on Eschenweg in Johannesberg, where it remains today.
The architectural industry has undergone dramatic changes over the past seven decades, and Dorbritz Architecture has evolved with the times. While the early years involved drawing with ink and pencil, today's practice utilizes advanced 3D real-time visualizations and produces many models using 3D printing technology, benefiting both clients and planners. Current architect Frank Dorbritz notes that while traditional brick-and-mortar construction methods still have their place, the firm now works extensively with innovative approaches including modular and timber construction techniques.
Sustainability and climate neutrality have become central considerations in modern architecture. Frank Dorbritz emphasizes that new construction isn't always the best solution when existing buildings can be renovated and repurposed, requiring architects to take on even more comprehensive roles in the future. This philosophy aligns with the growing emphasis on environmentally conscious building practices.
The firm's commitment to sustainable building is particularly championed by Freya Dorbritz, Frank's daughter, who returned to Bad Hersfeld in 2019 after gaining experience in Stuttgart, Munich, and Copenhagen. She became a member of the management team in 2023, alongside long-time employee Thomas Gimpel. Freya Dorbritz expresses pride in continuing the family business, noting that the firm combines extensive experience with innovative approaches.
The current team consists of nearly 20 professionals, including architects, structural engineers, and draftsmen, enabling the firm to offer comprehensive services from initial planning and sketches through project completion. Their expanded services now include feasibility studies and interior design, complementing traditional architectural services. The firm's philosophy emphasizes combining functionality with visually appealing design, individually adapted to each environment rather than following generic approaches.
Working outside major metropolitan areas provides Dorbritz Architecture with distinct advantages, including closer relationships with clients, government agencies, and specialized planners. Many business relationships have evolved into genuine friendships over the years. Frank and Freya Dorbritz stress their commitment to working closely with customers to achieve the best possible results with available resources, believing that beautiful design doesn't necessarily mean expensive solutions.
Thomas Gimpel points out that conscious selection of small details can make significant visual impact without additional costs. This approach has earned the firm numerous architecture awards and recognitions, including multiple participations in Architecture Day events, validating their successful methodology.
The diversity of projects represents a significant privilege for the father-daughter team, ranging from daycare centers to fire stations, from renovating protected historical buildings to new construction. Recent projects demonstrate this versatility, including work on data centers near Frankfurt, a mobility hub with a landscape-integrated bike-and-ride station and bus terminal in Kronberg, and a new daycare center in an architecturally demanding environment.
The firm continues to innovate with residential projects, including houses constructed entirely from wood. Current projects include work for Hessen Mobil in Bad Arolsen and subsidized housing in the town center of Schliersee, Bavaria. These projects showcase the firm's ability to adapt to different regional requirements and architectural challenges.
While primarily active in the regional area, Dorbritz Architecture has expanded its reach to include projects throughout Germany. The firm's portfolio includes administrative and industrial buildings, religious structures, bank branches, kindergartens, and single-family homes, with numerous examples visible throughout the Bad Hersfeld cityscape bearing the distinctive Dorbritz architectural signature.
The 70th anniversary celebration was recently held in the garden adjacent to the firm's office, attended by District Administrator Torsten Warnecke, Mayor Anke Hofmann, and over 100 invited guests. In lieu of gifts, the firm requested donations for the Medikids association, ultimately presenting the organization with 2,000 euros rounded up by the anniversary celebrants, demonstrating the firm's continued commitment to community service alongside architectural excellence.
