Years ago, Norbert Koch asked you to come to his architectural office, which was then still located on Ismaninger Strasse in Munich-Bogenhausen. He was waiting at the end of a large conference table. He was almost unrecognized. Back then. Because at that time – and as you will see later: Please note the reference to time – he was fighting for the existence of his office, which was founded in 1970. Yes, in a way, also for his life’s work. About the work of a man who was born on July 26, 1939 in Würzburg as the son of an architect and an artist.
At that time he seemed to have little to do with the architect of yore who was so hopeful and determined to embrace the world of building. Who, for example, came up with half the Munich airport. For example in the form of Terminal 2 as elegantly proportioned, functionally well thought-out, contemporary and spatially suggestive architecture – by the way, greetings to Berlin from here. Who realized all kinds of things all over the world, in China and Africa. Who ran a branch in Leipzig, who built in Dresden and Erfurt. The imposing buildings and entire districts designed. The builder and teacher was a practitioner and theorist. Who pioneered energy efficiency. Who understood technology and aesthetics, space, construction and form as a holistic challenge. Who was a successful architect. Someone who could be satisfied with his building.
Norbert Koch, managing partner of K&P Architects and Urban Planners GmbH in Munich.
(Photo: Catherina Hess / SZ Photo)
But back then, on Ismaninger Strasse, he said with a bitter undertone in the midst of the plans and models: “Instead of paper and pencil, I almost only deal with lawyers.” He wanted his right. In vain. Bitter, as I said. Back then, as one must also say. Norbert Koch died a few days ago, as only now became known. But not a broken heart. But looking ahead, making plans. Plans! Once an architect, always an architect.
The greatest consolation, if you remember the bitterness years ago in the scandal with his projects at Munich Airport, now lies in an email that reached you this Thursday. Sent by Jürgen Zschornack, who continues to run the Koch + Partner office as a partner under the umbrella of the Obermeyer Group. He writes about the office partner: “He was angry and disappointed, but not bitter.” Nor did he die of dark illness or melancholy. He died of a domestic accident at the age of 82. Enterprising determined, angry maybe. But bitter? Absolutely no way.
Koch was an example of the fact that medium-sized building culture is threatened by overburdened builders
Which is a great achievement, because the attorneys, who for good reason have been kept waiting for this point in the obituary, have done almost anything to arouse bitterness. And one thing can be said: if Norbert Koch was one of the guarantors of the building culture in this country, the opponents are typically more and more likely to become grave diggers of this culture. This is another reason why the Norbert Koch case is exemplary. He draws attention to the fact that the building culture, which is often organized in exemplary architecture offices in this country, is more threatened by overburdened clients than by poor planning.
The dispute is quickly told: Norbert Koch has worked as a planner for the airport company since the airport, which was formerly located in Munich-Riem, moved to Erdinger Moos. For 40 years to everyone’s great satisfaction. Terminal 2 was then planned by Norbert Koch himself – and the expansion in the form of a satellite terminal also came from him. But the satellite led to a rift, which is still a mystery today.
The Koch + Partner office was not paid millions for planned services. Allegedly because of planning deficiencies, which have not been publicly verified. Instead, the planning team was covered with demands that were deliberately astronomical. The client, Flughafen München Bau GmbH, asserted absurd recourse claims amounting to 16.4 million euros. Now it is the case that even when building a single-family house, the building owner and planner, architect and client can clash. This is not particularly exotic in construction, where costs and deadlines are often imbalanced in an increasingly complex industry.
Goliath can litigate forever, but David runs away from the costs
But if you set up a medium-sized office with a titanic player, then David and Goliath face each other in terms of construction law, but above all in terms of contract law. It is like this: Goliath can litigate forever, but David runs away from the existential costs. Architectural offices that remain seated on legitimate fee claims as a result of legal disputes are permanent always no chance. Often what falls by the wayside is what Norbert Koch fought for throughout his life: the building culture of everyday life, which only occurs when builders and architects act on an equal footing and trustingly.
What remains? By Norbert Koch, among other things, Terminal 2, which will herald his work as an architect and planner for a long time to come. Whereas the lawyers’ files have already been forgotten. Norbert Koch wanted to make the world a better place with the help of building. He lived up to his claim.