Nissen Wentzlaff has been working in the field of architecture and urban planning since 1992, often focussing on the management of change processes: How can a building ensemble grow, how will it change and what are the constants that create identity and ensure spatial quality? Over the past years the design of buildings and building ensembles for research and knowledge transfer has developed from this focus. Under the heading "architecture of knowledge" projects are currently underway, which - based on the analysis of collaboration processes - aim to provide inspiring environments for collaboration and innovative research. The breakdown of large groups of people into neighbourhoods, the personal freedom of the individual at the workplace, options for informal meetings and private retreat and orientation in space are issues that are the focus of the design efforts here. The agency's projects are driven by carefully selected materials and the search for a simple, self-explanatory expression. Our most important tools are our clearly structured method of working, our creative working relationships with leading expert planners, and our receptiveness to the latest technical advances and the state of the art, in such areas as CAD planning and production (CAM) for example.
Established in 1982, the NW team boasts some 40 employees in Basel and at the sites of local planning offices. Our team comprises architects with university degrees, along with experienced project managers and construction managers. We also work with our planning partners in a range of international teams. Our overriding priority is always to ensure that we have the strongest team possible for each project.
Daniel Wentzlaff
Dipl. Ing. AADipl, Architekt BSA SIA SWB
Daniel Wentzlaff *1962 - studied architecture in Munich, Paris and at the Architectural Association in London, where he graduated in 1990. He has been co-owner of Nissen Wentzlaff Architects since 1992, designing and realizing projects nationally and internationally, most of them stemming from successful competition entries. The buildings have won numerous architectural prizes and have been exhibited and published nationally and internationally. He has lectured in schools and universities in Switzerland and Germany, from 2002 to 2009 he was a lecturer in structural design, building engineering and design at Biberach University of Applied Sciences (FH). Daniel Wentzlaff is a regular member of assessment committees and judge in competition juries. He is currently a member of the Baselland building committee.
Michael Muellen
Dipl. Ing. TU, Architekt SIA - Partner
Michael Muellen *1971 - studied architecture at the Technische Universität of Karlsruhe, Germany, and the ETSA of Sevilla, Spain. After working as collaborator for various studios in Karlsruhe and Berlin he joined Nissen Wentzlaff Architects in 2004 and became partner in 2015. As project manager he has been responsible for the design and concept development of numerous projects and competitions. These have included the office building for Roche in Grenzach, the Energiedienst Building in Rheinfelden and the Roche Home for IT Project. He has led a wide range of projects for the practice and collaborated with Alvaro Siza on the Research Building Virchow 6, followed by the work with Juan Navarro Baldeweg, as head of the general planner team on the Group Headquarters Building, both on Novatis Campus in Basel.
Johannes Brenner
Dipl. Ing. FH, Architekt - Associated Partner
Johannes Brenner *1980 - completed an internship at Nissen Wentzlaff Architects in 2004 and returned after obtaining his degree from University of Applied Sciences Biberach, Germany, to work at the office for the following eleven years. His work has included architectural and urban project design, such as the Roche Kaiseraugst site development, the Häring Areal Pratteln, the public development planning Verdichtungsstudie Baselland and feasibility studies for Basel Dreispitz and Volta Nord Areal. He was project architect for the Novartis Campus Siza Building and has supervised various design projects. He became associated partner in 2015.
Hendrik Johannsen
Dipl. Ing. TU, Architekt - Associated Partner
Hendrik Johannsen *1972 - trained and worked as a carpenter before studying architecture at Bauhaus-Universität Weimar and Politecnico di Milano, followed by postgraduate studies in 3D-modelling. He joined Nissen Wentzlaff Architects in 2004 and was in charge of implementing various Novartis Campus projects over an 8-year period, such as the Frank O.Gehry Building and the Souto de Moura building. For this and the recently finished Balgrist Campus - a research and development building in Zürich – he was responsible as project director within the general planner team. In 2015 he became associated partner.
Hermann Raetzo
Dipl. Ing. FH, Architekt - Associated Partner
Hermann Raetzo * 1959 studied architecture in Basel and worked in numerous studios. He joined Nissen Wenzlaff Architects in 1998 and became associate in 2015. In 30 years of professional experience, he has directed an extensive array of projects of various magnitudes, ranging from public to private buildings including office building Energiedienst Rheinfelden, Therwil Center, Roche employee building B.67. Specialised in financial control and time scheduling he has also been significantly charge with the completion of bidding processes including Roche Bau 1 tower.
BSA Bund Schweizer Architekten
SIA Verband für Ingenieure und Architekten
Schweizerischer Werkbund (Daniel Wentzlaff)
Deutsche Architektenkammer Baden-Württemberg