The Hochschule München symposium examines whether and how vacant office buildings can be converted into housing, connecting the problem of unused office space with housing needs. It includes an exhibition of student work and sessions drawing on research, teaching and international examples, alongside discussion of economic and legal conditions for transformation.1
The programme is arranged in two thematic blocks. The morning sessions address opportunities for cities and society, with contributions on teaching and research and a panel discussion. Speakers include Prof. Dr.-Ing. Silke Langenberg of ETH Zürich, Prof. Andreas Garkisch of Bauhaus University Weimar, and academics from Hochschule München, TU München, TU Braunschweig and HÉIA Fribourg.1
The afternoon turns to practice, markets and the mechanisms that shape whether conversions are feasible. Its speakers bring perspectives from architecture, investment management, insurance, construction consultancy, banking and law, including participants based in Zürich, Lausanne, Chicago and Munich. A second panel considers market conditions, mechanisms and feasibility.1
The event is scheduled for 15 October 2026 in the Aula at Hochschule München, with sessions from 09:30 and the programme concluding with the Göderitz Prize presentation at 19:30, followed by a get-together.1 Munich Mayor Dominik Krause is named as patron in the page’s event description; the programme lists his greeting as subject to confirmation.1 The university describes the symposium as the opening event in a series organised in cooperation with the BDA.1