What role does interior architecture play in a world where spaces must meet increasingly complex requirements? Between sustainability, diversity of use and social change, design is increasingly becoming a mediating instrument between function, culture and identity.

On 6 February 2026, Susanne Brandherm, co-founder of brandherm + krumrey interior architecture (bki), was invited to speak at the German Design Award in Frankfurt am Main, where she shared insights into her creative approach to interior architecture. Under the title ‘Spaces that Speak: A German Interior Design Perspective,’ Brandherm provided insights into the working methods of the Cologne-based studio and showcased selected projects from the bki portfolio. The focus was on the question of how central design principles – from functionality and spatial balance to sustainable concepts, can be systematically translated into user-oriented spaces.

The lecture was held at the invitation of Lei Wang, Chief Representative China of the German Design Council, and was aimed in particular at international guests and manufacturers from Asia, proof of the international relevance of professional exchange on contemporary interior architecture. Against this backdrop, Susanne Brandherm highlighted the perspective of German architecture and used selected projects to illustrate how spatial concepts mediate between functional requirements, user needs and design approach.