Heim Balp Architekten was cofounded in 2006 in Berlin by Italian architect Pietro Balp and German architect Michael Heim.
They had met in Berlin in the early 2000s.
After different work experiences Michael Heim had been for 5 years chief designer at Daniel Libeskind, Pietro Balp had worked in the United States - they cofounded their practice.
The studio’s activity embraces the high density urban design as well as the conversion and the revitalization of historic and existing structures throughout Europe, with the aim to provide the cities with livable urban spaces for all generations.
With a particular focus on adaptive reuse, housing as well as cultural and industrial buildings, Heim Balp Architekten's approach leads away from an overdesigned architecture, reducing the interventions, yet evident, to the minimum required: the result are bare and clear architecture spaces which do not require any iconic statement. An architecture that rewrites on history instead of wiping it out.
Their philosophy informs their research on sustainable construction methods and the use of innovative materials and design solutions, adapting to different geographical context.
The practice has several on going projects in Germany and in different european countries, such as Spain, Portugal and Romania.