Since 1899, the Knapp family has been a driving force in the construction and planning industry of the Rheintal region. Over four generations, a unique combination of skilled craftsmanship and cheerful design has been developed here, despite the challenges of major historical transitions, situated between the Black Forest, the Vosges Mountains and the Jura Mountains.
The company was established in 1899 by Karl Knapp. His son, August Knapp, took over in 1925 and continued the legacy, which was shaped by the dark chapters of the Second World War. Together with a colleague from Strasbourg, August was involved in the reconstruction of damaged buildings in Alsace and Baden.
Following the conclusion of hostilities, he focused his efforts on residential construction, which was urgently needed in the region.
In 1955 Heinz Josef Knapp completed his studies in architecture at the Karlsruhe University of Technology. His teacher, the renowned Egon Eiermann, had a significant impact on his style. After spending several years in Sweden, he returned to his native region in 1959, where he made a significant and lasting impact as a representative of the third generation of architects. In addition to impressive school buildings and projects that shaped the cityscape, Heinz also made an invaluable contribution on a voluntary basis
In the 1980s, he played a pivotal role in developing the "City and Spa Development Plan" in Baden-Baden, which addressed past shortcomings and left a lasting impact on the city's future. He combined a European outlook with visionary thinking, embracing the whole of the continent
Heinz handed over the reins at the turn of the millennium to Urban Knapp, who had graduated from the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in 1995. During Urban's tenure, the company's reach expanded to encompass the entire continent of Europe and beyond. His work has received numerous accolades and represents a unique synthesis of tradition and innovation. In 2022, Urban founded the company archiCOR, which offers a range of services beyond the traditional scope of architectural services, including project development, client consultancy and property mediation.
In addition to his professional activities, Urban Knapp is also engaged in voluntary work. He served as Chairman of a regional section of the German Architects' Association and President of the European Network Architecture, promoting professional exchange. In 2004, he founded the European Architecture House in Strasbourg with some colleagues from France and got a cultural event, the trinational architect days off the ground. Thanks to his leadership, the event grew into a cross-border success story, attracting 80,000 visitors between Basel, Mannheim, Stuttgart and Strasbourg in 2010, his last year as chairman.
Urbans work exemplifies a way of living together across borders and a vision for future-oriented sustainable architecture.
Timeless architecture and award-winning expertise.
Urban Knapp