Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Preserving Brick Heritage with Playful Work Spaces

Authors:
Christian Wallesch, Markus Zang
Preserving Brick Heritage with Playful Work Spaces
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
With its preserved brick walls and playful features like a climbing wall and slide, the revitalized former train repair center serves as a collaborative workspace that blends historical authenticity with modern functionality.
5 key facts about this project
01
Preserves original brick walls while incorporating playful workspaces.
02
Elevated kitchen and play area supported by existing cranes.
03
Features climbing wall and slide for physical activity.
04
Private offices designed for small group collaboration.
05
Flexible lighting and acoustic solutions enhance productivity.

The former train repair center, Lokrichthalle, in Trier, Germany, has been creatively repurposed into a modern workspace. Built in 1911 by Prussian engineer Ernst Spiro, the building's rich industrial history has been preserved while adapting its function for contemporary needs. The design focuses on combining historical preservation with a layout that encourages collaboration and productivity among its users.

Functionality

The layout accommodates up to 40 office workers. It is designed to support both teamwork and focused individual tasks. At the heart of the design is the Eden area, which includes a kitchen and play space elevated on a platform supported by existing cranes. This unique feature promotes social interaction and maintains the industrial character of the building. Below, The Cave serves as a comfortable retreat for relaxation, enhancing the overall versatility of the workspace.

Spatial Distribution

Private offices are located in The Shell, situated along the northwestern wall. Each of the four rooms accommodates four workers, balancing the need for privacy with opportunities for collaboration. The Ground area offers open spaces for teamwork, while The Gallery provides environments suited for individual tasks. This thoughtful spatial organization caters to various working styles, fostering a productive atmosphere.

Playful Elements

The design incorporates playful features, including a climbing wall and a slide. These elements aim to encourage physical activity and create a lively office environment. By integrating these fun aspects, the design breaks away from the conventional office layout, inviting a more dynamic interaction among employees throughout their day.

Acoustic and Lighting Design

Careful consideration has been given to acoustic comfort and lighting. Movable elements known as The Clouds protect against noise while allowing for adjustable lighting throughout the space. This flexibility meets the different needs of workers, contributing to an atmosphere that enhances focus and overall productivity.

The project preserves the original brick walls and structural elements, maintaining the historical identity of Lokrichthalle. The combination of thoughtful design and a respectful approach to the building's heritage creates a workspace that echoes the past while serving present-day functions. The design stands as a testament to how old structures can be revitalized for new purposes, ensuring their character remains central to the experience.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
The Home of 
Shadows
The Home of Shadows
The light studies. Edition #4
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

`
Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
Concrete 
Pavilion

Design a concrete pavilion

Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025
new
Pavilion Atlas 2026

Design a story of your country

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 21 January 2026

Recurring architecture competitions

new
Re:Form - 
New Life 
for Old Spaces

Choose a site—used, abandoned, or forgotten—anywhere in the world, and give it a new purpose

Edition #2 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 2 October 2025
Hospice - 
Home for the 
Terminally ill

Design a safe and supportive space to those struggling with a terminal illness

Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 10,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 9 October 2025
new
The Architect’s 
Stair

Take a step and make a statement!

Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 15 October 2025
Kinderspace

Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 16 October 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025
new
The Home of 
Shadows

Design a home with no artificial lighting

The light studies. Edition #4 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility OPEN TO ALL
Early bird registration deadline 5 November 2025
The Last 
Nuclear Bomb Memorial

Design a memorial that speaks to the cause of ending all nuclear weapons programs

Edition #6 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 13 November 2025
new
The Architect's 
Chair

Take a seat and make a statement!

Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 20 November 2025
Museum of 
Emotions

Use architecture to create different emotional states

Edition #7 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025

Media, partners and clients

To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy