As one of the most famous German architectural practices, Stuttgart-based Lederer & Ragnarsdottir & Oei (LRO) has distinguished itself through dramatic, sweeping facades and unique forms that have had wide popular appeal but haven't always adhered to what is fashionable. Their statement is clear and iconoclastic: -Creating a locality is absolutely crucial to our projects. To do that, architecture does not have to be reinvented by force. Instead, we try to learn from the long tradition of building without falling into historicism.- Of their numerous successful projects, the best known are...

In the last three decades, Auer + Weber + Assoziierte have devised structures ranging from cultural and research institutions to hotels, residences and larger urban designs--each based on differing conceptions such as sculptural volumetric bodies or structurally open environments. Their ESO hotel in Chile has become particularly celebrated since it was featured in the final scene of the James Bond film Quantum of Solace.

A sequel to 3 Stadia 2010, Next 3 Stadia highlights new projects by German architectural firm von Gerkan, Marg und Partner, and engineers Schlaich Bergermann und Partner, famed worldwide for their stadium construction. These new three stadia, located in Warsaw, Kiev and Bucharest, are examples of state-of-the-art sports venues.