Architecture in Germany. Form or function? Practical or pleasing to the eye?

The debate is as old as architecture itself – and the answer remains a mystery. But what is clear is that no other field of creative work has such a long-lasting impact on our environment, our day-to-day existence and our quality of life as the way in which we design buildings.

You'll need to take a deep breath before embarking on an architectural tour of Germany. Why? Because it's simply breathtaking. The world's leading architects – from AJS to Zumthor – have designed environments that compel us to look at things in new ways. Bold yet light of touch, monumental but stylised, and so often knowingly referential, they challenge the beholder but also reward you with fresh perspectives. Architecture that brings happiness?