Thomas Busse

Thomas Busse studied Architecture at the universities of Darmstadt and Florence. From 2004 to 2009, he worked as design director for KSP Engel in Beijing, where he helped to establish the local office and was involved in the planning of the National Library and multiple museums. From 2014 to 2017, he was team leader for Competitions in Frankfurt. With the projects for the Siemens Campus Erlangen, the Urban Campus in Vilnius, and the Mauritius Höfe in Wiesbaden, his team is tackling current issues of sustainable neighborhood development. Since 2017, Thomas Busse has been Head of International Business at KSP Engel as its Managing Director. Furthermore, since April 2022 he has been a member of the Frankfurt office management team in the capacity of authorised signatory and director.

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Abstract

Urban environments are undergoing rapid and continuous transformation. According to UN-Habitat, half of the global population currently lives in cities – a figure projected to rise to nearly 70 percent by 2050. This accelerating urbanisation underlines the urgent need for thoughtful, future-oriented planning.

High-rise buildings are set to play an increasingly central role in shaping the urban experience. The key challenge lies in ensuring that these structures – both existing and new – are adaptable, resilient, and culturally integrated within their urban contexts. What strategies and design tools can support this change? What opportunities exist to make tall buildings more responsive to community needs? And how does cultural identity influence the way we build vertically?

With over 90 years of architectural expertise, KSP ENGEL has significantly shaped Frankfurt’s skyline, having designed 17 high-rise buildings in the city and more than 50 high-rise buildings worldwide.

From the Central Business Tower, the National Library of China to the Great Mosque of Algiers, our work reflects a commitment to both innovation and cultural sensitivity. At FABER 2025, we will share insights into our approach to high-rise design in Frankfurt and abroad, and explore the principles and practices that enable the creation of culturally meaningful tall buildings for diverse urban communities and users alike.