Benjamin Blocher at the Symposium on Structural Engineering

How can a former department store be transformed into a vibrant part of the city? On 26 November 2026, Benjamin Blocher will speak at the 8th Symposium on Structural Engineering – Design for Construction in Stuttgart about the transformation of the former Galeria Kaufhof department store in Mannheim.

Together with Emilia von Fritsch and Holger Seitz from KEMPEN KRAUSE, he will present the New7 project. The talk will explore how preserving existing structures, adding new floors using hybrid timber construction and introducing a diverse mix of uses can create new opportunities for the city centre.

The presentation starts at 11:55 a.m. as part of the session “Existing Buildings Take Priority”.