Nicola Borgmann works internationally as a curator, architect and art historian based in Munich. In her role as director of the Architekturgalerie Muenchen e.V., she has been curating and organising exhibitions and events on contemporary issues in architecture, landscape architecture, urbanism and art since 1992. Nicola Borgmann combines her practical work with teaching, research and publications. Her career has included teaching at the Technical University of Munich, the Academy of Fine Arts Munich, the Nuremberg University of Applied Sciences, the EIABC in Addis Ababa, the Graz University of Technology, and, since 2019, the University of Zurich.
Nicola Borgmann was awarded the Bavarian Architecture Prize in 2011 and the City of Munich Architecture Prize in 2018. Nicola Borgmann is a member of the German Academy for Urban and Regional Planning (DASL) and an honorary member of the Association of German Architects (BDA). She sits on the board of trustees of the Deutscher Werkbund and is, together with the Architekturgalerie, a partner of the New European Bauhaus (NEB) as well as a member of the International Council of Museums (ICOM Germany). Nicola Borgmann is currently responsible for the communication and replication of the New European Bauhaus project “Creating NEBourhoods Together” in Munich’s Neuperlach district and was part of the curatorial team for Germany’s contribution to the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale in 2025.
Interview
How would you describe your vision for the “Spaces of Mobility” for the Munich Metropolitan Region in 2034 in three words?
Movement: By 2034, the IBA will be a major movement, known for the climate-conscious and socially equitable development of metropolitan regions. Change: The IBA will have achieved visible changes in areas like ecology, safety, efficiency, beauty and health. Quality of Life: The IBA will stand for quality of life. People will feel an improvement in their living and working environments.
What do you see as the biggest mobility challenge facing the Munich Metropolitan Region?
An open mindset, transparency and adaptability are essential to the success of the IBA. Its temporary nature facilitates experimental approaches, mitigating risk while expanding the boundaries of what is possible.
What motivated you to get involved in the IBA-M?
The IBA offers a chance to shape the Munich metropolitan region into an internationally inspiring model of architectural culture. I find this opportunity really exciting. My motivation is to create a sustainably improved living environment for people and nature, whilst also driving a forward-looking paradigm shift.
What unique perspective or expertise do you bring to the IBA-M?
In my role as Director of the Architekturgalerie Muenchen, I have spent many years delivering projects that promote excellence in the built environment across the fields of architecture, urban planning, landscape architecture and art. I work with great commitment and enthusiasm to strengthen and communicate the value of Baukultur (“building culture”), fostering understanding and knowledge exchange while creating connections between academia, business, culture and society.
For me, the IBA-M is…
…the key to the climate transition.