In Conversation with Gunter Klix: Context, Climate, and Collaborative Design

In Conversation with Gunter Klix: Context, Climate, and Collaborative Design by Stella Castelo and Oriana Sovieri

During the course in Architecture for Humanity 2024/2025 edition, we had the pleasure of speaking with Gunter Klix, Managing Director of Architectural Pioneering Consultants (APC)—an architecture studio with a diverse and regionally attuned portfolio spanning across East Africa. With offices in both Tanzania and Switzerland, APC is known for its climate-responsive and context-sensitive design philosophy, bridging local knowledge with global insight.

Klix was recently a guest lecturer at Yacademy, where he introduced a range of inspiring projects that reflect APC’s nuanced approach to architecture. His journey into East Africa began not as a commercial venture, but as a research initiative aimed at compiling a book on climate-responsive design strategies rooted in local architectural traditions. The original goal was to transfer these ideas to European contexts. However, what began as a research trip evolved into a deeper commitment to the region. APC established its first office in Tanzania, gradually expanding its work throughout East Africa before returning to apply these same principles to more complex projects in Europe. This circular journey, shaped by experience and discovery, exemplifies Klix’s belief in architecture as an evolving, place-based practice.

The book, titled Hitzearchitektur: Lernen von der afrikanischen Moderne, co-authored with Annika Seifert, is available in German and explores the lessons learned from African modernist architecture. These lessons continue to inform APC’s methodology today.

During the interview, Klix gave us a deeper look into APC’s design process and operational model. The studio is structured around a collaborative framework that leverages the strengths of its distributed team. Some team members are deeply embedded in local contexts, while others, including Klix himself, focus on design development, research, and material experimentation. One of the core challenges, he noted, lies in weaving together diverse insights and site conditions into a cohesive architectural vision.

A key pillar of Klix’s philosophy is climate—not only as an environmental consideration but as an experiential one. He strongly believes that to design effectively, architects must experience the climate firsthand. “You have to go and experience it,” he said. “It determines how people use their space and how they can imagine architecture. That can’t just be guessed from afar.” For him, climate is not a constraint, but a tool for shaping spaces that are intuitive, functional, and deeply rooted in their environment.

One of APC’s most celebrated projects, the Simba Vision Montessori School in Tanzania  has garnered international recognition through features in publications such as The Architectural Review, DOMUS, but also ArchDaily and Dezeen. Despite its success, Klix emphasizes that the project is deeply rooted in its specific context. He cautions against the temptation to replicate design solutions across projects without fully understanding local needs. For APC, every project is a response to a unique set of environmental, cultural, and social conditions.

Still, Klix champions collaboration and open knowledge-sharing in the architectural community. He reflects on the evolving role of the architect—from solitary creator to collaborative thinker—and advocates for a culture where ideas and research are openly exchanged. “There’s really no need to be protective and keep things for oneself,” he said. “There’s so much work to be done, so many people in need of well-designed spaces. There’s space for everyone to contribute.” For him, this is especially important for nurturing the next generation of architects and fostering innovation across borders.

Reflecting on his own professional evolution, Klix shared how his views on materials have shifted. Early in his career, he was drawn to industrialized materials. Over time, however, he has come to appreciate the value of natural, locally sourced materials, not only for their environmental benefits but also for their ability to strengthen local economies. He cites an early housing project in Dar es Salaam as a turning point—realizing in hindsight that the heavy use of concrete could have been replaced by timber and earth, leading to a more sustainable and culturally resonant outcome.

Today, APC is increasingly focused on circular, community-centered projects that reduce reliance on large industries in favor of local craftsmanship and resources. Yet working with natural materials is not without its challenges. In many contexts, such materials are stigmatized as outdated or symbolic of poverty. Klix has encountered this perception but has also seen it change when these materials are reimagined through thoughtful, innovative design.

He uses earth construction as a prime example. When associated with low ceilings and dim, confined interiors, earth is often dismissed. But when used to create tall, light-filled spaces with generous openings, it can transform perceptions and instill pride. In doing so, traditional materials gain renewed cultural value—becoming not only acceptable but aspirational.

For Klix, architecture is not about exporting ideas but about learning from place, adapting, and evolving. It’s a continual process of reflection and response—where even past projects serve as lessons for future work. As he put it, “Even if someone takes our ideas and applies them elsewhere, that’s not a threat—it’s a continuation. We learn, they evolve them, and that’s how architecture becomes something greater than the original intent.”