Inspiration for the future
With our first event in the Schinkel Talks series, we took on a new format—and it was well worth it! Under the theme “Schinkel and Innovation – Then & Now”, we met on February 27, 2025, at the Friedrichswerder Church to explore what we can learn from Karl Friedrich Schinkel about innovation.
After a warm welcome by Prof. Dr. Guido Spars, Kerstin Lassnig guided us through the evening. The event began with a keynote by Dr. Jan Mende (Curator, Knoblauchhaus Foundation, Stadtmuseum), who shed light on Schinkel’s pioneering spirit through his architectural masterpieces. He highlighted the Bauakademie, a groundbreaking structure of its time, the Neue Wache, where artistic expression played a key role, and Schinkel’s remarkable ability to bridge tradition and modernity. A central takeaway: Schinkel believed that every work of art must find its own “new momentum.”
Following this, Prof. Dr. Carsten Dreher (Professor of Innovation Management, FU Berlin) introduced current insights from innovation research. He emphasized that innovation never happens in isolation—it requires the right context and favorable conditions. Drawing parallels between Schinkel’s work and today’s innovation processes, he posed key questions: What role do individuals play compared to teams? How do social structures encourage or hinder innovation? Who are today’s major drivers of innovation, and can these be compared to Schinkel?
A key concept in innovation research, Architectural Innovation, was also explored. This refers to reconfiguring existing components to create something entirely new. Schinkel was a master of this approach—combining traditional construction methods with innovative materials and techniques to design forward-thinking architecture. This interplay between past and future remains at the heart of our work at the Bauakademie today. Our challenge is to merge historical construction principles with modern demands for sustainability, functionality, and aesthetics—very much in Schinkel’s spirit.
The lively discussion session that followed addressed many audience questions: What made Schinkel so innovative? What distinguished his way of thinking? How can we apply his insights to today’s architecture and planning?
Particularly intriguing was the debate on the tension between individual genius and teamwork, as well as the barriers to innovation, both then and now. A major discussion point was the transmission of knowledge—while Schinkel openly shared his expertise, for instance through his "Models for Manufacturers and Craftsmen," today’s innovation processes are often constrained by patents and trade secrets.
The key takeaway: Innovation is not just about talent—it depends on the right conditions. This is precisely where the Federal Bauakademie Foundation steps in. The Schinkel Talks series will continue, building bridges between history, the present, and the future. We look forward to many more exciting discussions!
