In the fiercely competitive automotive industry, secrecy is everything. The factories where tomorrow’s vehicles are born are fortified environments where cutting-edge technology and closely guarded designs take shape. At the heart of this secretive world are the Kohlbecker brothers, Matthias and Florian, who lead Kohlbecker Gesamtplan GmbH, a firm renowned for designing these high-stakes, future-focused spaces.
But the Kohlbeckers’ influence reaches far beyond the confines of car factories. Imagine a family so deeply rooted in architecture that their history spans nearly a century of shaping industrial and urban landscapes around the globe, and contributing to the cities of the future. It might seem a stretch to connect the intricacies of car manufacturing with urban planning, but once you meet the Kohlbecker brothers, you’ll understand how their work today is laying the groundwork for tomorrow’s world.
The Future of Car Factories
Car factories are among the most complex types of industrial buildings to design. The stakes are incredibly high. Architects like the Kohlbeckers are often privy to highly sensitive information about upcoming car designs and manufacturing processes – leaks could lead to significant financial losses or give competitors an edge.
To maintain confidentiality, these projects are compartmentalised, with different teams working on separate aspects of the design without full knowledge of the final product. In some cases, certain areas of the office are treated like vaults, where information is tightly controlled to ensure that it doesn’t leave the room, further safeguarding the secrets of tomorrow’s automotive innovations.
Matthias Kohlbecker, known for his expertise in sustainable architecture, has led the design of the BMW factory in Debrecen, Hungary. Set to become operational in 2025, this will be BMW’s first CO2-neutral vehicle plant. “The future of architecture isn’t just about trends; it’s about mandatory shifts in how we approach building,” Matthias explains. “We prioritise local materials and building traditions that have been refined over centuries. By adapting these methods to modern possibilities, we create lighter buildings that require fewer resources and produce a smaller CO2 footprint.”
The factory will focus on energy efficiency, utilising renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, and incorporating innovative water management systems. But this is just the beginning – Matthias envisions buildings that go beyond CO2 neutrality, producing more energy than they consume.
“Sustainability isn’t a box to tick: it’s a principle that guides every decision we make—from the materials we select to the technologies we incorporate,” he says. “Our goal is to create buildings that are not just environmentally friendly but also resilient and future-proof.”
Florian Kohlbecker, newly appointed CEO of the company, has been instrumental in pushing the boundaries of modular construction, leveraging digital tools to enhance flexibility and efficiency. “Modular technology allows us to create buildings that can be easily modified, expanded, or even relocated as needed,” he says.
This approach is particularly important in the automotive industry, where production needs can change rapidly. Modular components enable factories to adapt without requiring extensive renovations or rebuilding.
Florian’s journey into digitalisation began with a makeshift 3D scanner made from a shopping trolley and detachable cameras – a project he worked on with his father, Christoph. “We’ve come a long way since those early experiments,” he reflects. Today, Kohlbecker Gesamtplan uses state-of-the-art digital tools, including VR and XR glasses, drones and robotics, to create highly detailed and accurate 3D models of their designs. These technologies allow clients to virtually walk through their future buildings, making adjustments in real-time before construction even begins.
One of the most impressive examples of this digital innovation is the Audi factory in China, completed entirely during the COVID-19 pandemic without the team ever setting foot on site. “The pandemic accelerated our shift to remote collaboration,” says Florian. “We managed to oversee the entire construction process using Oculus glasses and digital platforms, reducing misunderstandings and ensuring the project moved forward efficiently.”
This not only enhanced the accuracy of the designs but also significantly reduced the potential for costly human errors. “The goal is to avoid mistakes that could compromise the functionality of the factory,” Florian explains. “For instance, sensors can detect if pillars are not completely straight, which is crucial because even a small deviation can prevent a conveyor belt from functioning properly.”
With the Kohlbeckers at the forefront of designing the factories of both today and tomorrow, one might wonder whether this unique vantage point might give them insight into the future of the vehicles that will soon populate our streets? What do they foresee for the future of car technology?
“The trends are clearly moving towards autonomous driving, electric, biogas or fuel, and hydrogen-run engines,” Matthias explains. “Cars will communicate with each other, and we’ll see concepts like ‘train-driving’, where linked cars start simultaneously at a green light. This will significantly improve safety and efficiency.”
Florian adds: “In five years, no one will be driving autonomously, but in 15 years, maybe everyone will be.” The factories they design today must be flexible enough to accommodate these rapid changes in automotive technology.
Innovation Heritage: The Kohlbecker Family Story
The story of Kohlbecker Gesamtplan GmbH begins in 1930, when Karl Kohlbecker founded his architectural firm in Gaggenau, Germany. Karl quickly became known for his innovative approach to industrial architecture, particularly in relation to the automotive industry. One of his significant contributions was designing and working on the Mercedes-Benz factory in Gaggenau. It was originally founded as the Bergmann-Industriewerke GmbH in 1894 and became part of Daimler-Benz AG (now Mercedes-Benz) in 1926.
This factory – which played a particularly crucial role in producing trucks and other commercial vehicles – was a part of Karl’s pioneering ‘Human Factory’ concept, which emphasised not just efficient production processes but also the well-being of the workers. Beyond the factory, Karl was responsible for designing other key buildings in Gaggenau, including social housing, the town hall and a local bank, all of which contributed to the town’s development.
“My grandfather was always focused on the people who used the buildings, not just on the buildings themselves,” Florian reflects. “He believed that a well-designed environment could improve productivity and quality of life, and that’s something we still strive for in every project today.”
Karl’s son, Christoph Kohlbecker, continued this legacy, expanding the firm’s reach beyond Germany and solidifying its reputation as a leader in industrial architecture. Christoph’s contribution was not just in scaling the business but also in embedding a philosophy of human-centred design into the company’s ethos. He was responsible for landmark projects like the world’s largest truck assembly plant for Daimler-Benz and the development of administrative buildings for Audi.
“While the tools and technologies we use today are vastly different from what my grandfather and father had, the core mission remains the same – to create environments that enhance the lives of the people who use them,” says Florian.
Today, Matthias and Florian Kohlbecker lead the firm from an office located on Karl-Kohlbecker-Straße, a street in Gaggenau named in honour of their great-grandfather. “He was a brick manufacturer,” says Florian. “That’s where it all started.” They continue to this day a successful, long-standing relationship with Mercedes-Benz, which has been a key part of their architectural legacy in industrial design.
The firm has contributed to projects at Mercedes-Benz plants in Sindelfingen, Bremen and Rastatt. “Our projects today are global, but they are deeply rooted in the values that my grandfather and father instilled in us – respect for the environment, a commitment to sustainability, and an unwavering focus on quality and functionality,” Matthias adds.
From Building Factories to Urban Planning
What began with the meticulous planning of car factories has naturally evolved into something much larger for the Kohlbecker brothers – designing the infrastructure of future cities. Their deep understanding of industrial architecture, honed over decades, has seamlessly transitioned into a broader vision: creating sustainable, liveable urban environments that extend far beyond the factory walls.
One of the most ambitious projects they are involved in is Emirates Ranches, the original name for a 3,000-hectare development in Abu Dhabi. This expansive project encompasses multiple zones, including a sports academy, food production facilities, a food tech university (complete with vertical farms) and residential villas – all designed with a focus on enhancing the well-being of their residents.
“We’ve taken the energy and water management principles that were initially refined in our industrial projects and applied them on an urban scale,” Matthias explains. “For example, we’re using air-to-water systems to extract water from humidity, which is crucial in a desert environment. Additionally, prioritising the use of brown water for irrigation reduces the strain on local water resources. We’re also implementing special asphalt that absorbs less heat, helping to reduce the urban heat island effect. All these measures are part of our strategy to lower local temperatures and create a more comfortable environment for residents.”
You could call Emirates Ranches ‘Gaggenau on steroids’: a fitting parallel to the work their grandfather did nearly a century ago. Just as Karl Kohlbecker developed the town of Gaggenau with a focus on human-centric industrial architecture – creating factories that were both efficient and supportive of worker well-being – Matthias and Florian are now bringing these principles into the 21st century through their visionary urban planning projects.
Their ambitions don’t stop at Emirates Ranches. The Kohlbeckers have also joined forces with hospitality and wellness developers, Sunoom, to develop ‘Future Living’ cities in North Lake Powell, Utah and Abu Dhabi. This collaboration aims to integrate mindful architecture with advanced technology to create sustainable living spaces that are as innovative as they are rooted in holistic wellness concepts.
Leading the North Lake Powell project are health-tech magnate Robert Mitchell and Geremy Mustard, co-founder of Fortnite. The city project has already broken ground, with plans for Sunoom to begin developing their first glamping project around Tapestry Canyons within the next six months.
“Our goal is to blend modern technology with traditional principles to create spaces that are functional and deeply connected to their surroundings, holistic communities where residents can live in balance with nature while enjoying the benefits of modern, sustainable technology,” Florian explains. His brother adds: “In my opinion, a modern urban masterplan has to follow the rules of sustainability in all their dimensions. This masterplan has to protect flora and fauna, respect local culture and landscaping, and create a healthy environment for people growing up, living, and working there.”
The Kohlbeckers’ foresight into the future of automotive technology has been a key driver behind their approach to both factory design and urban planning. As Florian notes: “The future of cars is tied to the future of urban planning. As vehicles become more autonomous, the infrastructure around them must also adapt. This means integrating smart city technologies that allow for seamless communication between vehicles and urban systems.”
