FRANKFURT AM MAIN, 05 May 2026
CONTEXTUALISING SOCIETY | New buildings for art, culture, and worship
In 2026, the JUNG Architecture Talks are celebrating their 20th anniversary. Building networks, gaining insights, enjoying inspiring talks, and engaging in professional dialogue in a relaxed atmosphere – this is what our format continues to stand for.
On 5 May, the JUNG Architecture Talks took place in Frankfurt am Main for the 17th time. The evening at the Jugend-Kultur-Kirche St. Peter was held under the motto Contextualising Society. We had invited renowned German architects to discuss new buildings for art, culture and worship.
Among our guests on the panel was Peter Zirkel of Peter Zirkel Architektur from Dresden. In his work, he explores the cultural identity and distinctive character of time and place. Among other projects, he presented the Museum Lützen 1632. Furthermore Katrin Leers-Kulka from the Dresden-based architecture office Peter Kulka Architektur joined the stage. Since the death of Peter Kulka in 2024, she has continued to run the joint practice on her own. In doing so, she carries forward his design and architectural approach while developing the office responsibly into the future.
The evening was moderated by Boris Schade-Bünsow, editor-in-chief of the architecture magazine Bauwelt.
On 5 May, the JUNG Architecture Talks took place in Frankfurt am Main for the 17th time. The evening at the Jugend-Kultur-Kirche St. Peter was held under the motto Contextualising Society. We had invited renowned German architects to discuss new buildings for art, culture and worship.
Among our guests on the panel was Peter Zirkel of Peter Zirkel Architektur from Dresden. In his work, he explores the cultural identity and distinctive character of time and place. Among other projects, he presented the Museum Lützen 1632. Furthermore Katrin Leers-Kulka from the Dresden-based architecture office Peter Kulka Architektur joined the stage. Since the death of Peter Kulka in 2024, she has continued to run the joint practice on her own. In doing so, she carries forward his design and architectural approach while developing the office responsibly into the future.
The evening was moderated by Boris Schade-Bünsow, editor-in-chief of the architecture magazine Bauwelt.
Impressions
Photography: Tim Dornaus
PETER ZIRKEL
PETER ZIRKEL ARCHITEKTEN, DRESDEN
Peter Zirkel has been working as a freelance architect in Dresden since 1995. Following an apprenticeship in carpentry, he studied architecture at TU Kaiserslautern, TU Delft (NL), and TU Darmstadt, graduating with a diploma in 1994 before setting up his own practice. From 1996 to 2000, he also worked as a research assistant at the Chair of Residential Buildings at TU Dresden.
“Coherent architecture does not serve itself. It provides ways to be understood and appreciated. The working method of our office does not seek attention beyond the core competence of architectural creation. Creating good architecture means that a building can be appropriated – ideally acting as an agent for lived building culture from its emergence to its completion, inviting people to engage with the building and the themes that surround it.”
www.peterzirkel.de
Image: © Peter Zirkel Architekten
“Coherent architecture does not serve itself. It provides ways to be understood and appreciated. The working method of our office does not seek attention beyond the core competence of architectural creation. Creating good architecture means that a building can be appropriated – ideally acting as an agent for lived building culture from its emergence to its completion, inviting people to engage with the building and the themes that surround it.”
www.peterzirkel.de
Image: © Peter Zirkel Architekten
KATRIN LEERS-KULKA
PETER KULKA ARCHITEKTUR, DRESDEN
Katrin Leers-Kulka is the owner of the architecture firm Peter Kulka Architektur, which she has helped shape for many years. Born in Dresden in 1975, she first completed an apprenticeship as a draftsperson before studying architecture at TU Dresden from 1998 to 2003. While still a student, she joined Peter Kulka’s office in 2001, completed her diploma with Prof. Lorenzen in 2003, and then became a permanent member of Kulka’s team. With her deep roots in architecture and many years of experience, she took over management of the Cologne office in 2012. In 2020, she became a partner in the firm across all three locations: Dresden, Frankfurt and Cologne. In 2022, she was appointed to the BDA. Since 2024, she has continued Peter Kulka’s work independently – having acquired the copyrights, she is carrying forward his architectural and design principles while guiding the practice responsibly into the future.
“Architecture is never entirely perfect. But it must be strong and powerful – while remaining tolerant, adaptable and open to change. I act to find new paths. For meaningful spaces. For architecture with a clear stance. For living well – today and tomorrow.”
www.peterkulka.de
Image: © Peter Kulka Architektur
“Architecture is never entirely perfect. But it must be strong and powerful – while remaining tolerant, adaptable and open to change. I act to find new paths. For meaningful spaces. For architecture with a clear stance. For living well – today and tomorrow.”
www.peterkulka.de
Image: © Peter Kulka Architektur
MODERATION
The event was moderated by Boris Schade-Bünsow, editor-in-chief of the architectural magazine Bauwelt.
Bauwelt is a forum for analysis and commentary on questions of architecture and urban development. As a medium for opinion and trends, its relevance stems from the discussion, assessment and contextualisation of current topics in architecture, urban planning and building policy.
www.bauwelt.de
Image: © Jasmin Schuller
Bauwelt is a forum for analysis and commentary on questions of architecture and urban development. As a medium for opinion and trends, its relevance stems from the discussion, assessment and contextualisation of current topics in architecture, urban planning and building policy.
www.bauwelt.de
Image: © Jasmin Schuller
