Interview with BTU Alumnus Dr. Sebastian Herke (Architecture)

Dr. Sebastian Herke studied Architecture in Cottbus and completed his doctorate in Planning and Construction Economics in 2018. In 2019, his book "Das Leistungsbild des Architekten beim Planen und Bauen im Bestand" was published by Springer Vieweg Verlag, which is also available in our IKMZ. In 2019, he became Managing Director of the engineering firm CGG, and since 2021 he has been Manager of Gebäudewirtschaft Cottbus GmbH (GWC), where he is responsible for the numerous construction projects and new buildings planned over the next few years as part of the structural change. With 17,000 apartments and 500 commercial properties, GWC is Brandenburg's largest residential and commercial landlord.

Hello Dr. Herke, how did you come to study architecture and how did you come to specialize in construction economics?
I wanted to study either Civil Engineering or Architecture and first completed a trial course. Then I was advised in the traditional way by the BTU student guidance and counselling service, found out about the specific content and compared it with my interests. At the time, I found the Architecture study programme to be more versatile, cosmopolitan and progressive. During my studies, I decided to specialize in construction economics because I found it more interesting and it offered better economic and career opportunities after graduation.

You studied and graduated from BTU. What was your experience like here?
My experience at BTU was very good. The university offers a good level of supervision and I also found the course very varied. The academic staff were great. I decided to do my doctoral studies at BTU because in Professor Wolfdietrich Kalusche I found a contact person and doctoral supervisor who enjoys a very good reputation throughout Germany and makes excellent contributions in the field of Planning and Construction Economics, both in teaching and in research. There are only a few universities in Germany with this focus and BTU was still one of them at the time.

You are the Manager of the GWC. What is your day-to-day work like?
As Manager of the largest housing company in Brandenburg, I am responsible for around 140 employees. One of my jobs is to make the municipal company fit for the future, especially in times of structural change. The legal requirements for climate neutrality often play a key role in this - construction and letting are becoming increasingly complex, as are the changing requirements of tenants for the housing of the future. I accompany large construction projects, work strategically and also give presentations to various interest groups or city committees.

What challenges does structural change pose for your work and for GWC?
We have the task of providing suitable housing for returnees or the various groups of people who move to Cottbus. It is a challenge to meet the needs of very different target groups, from professors who have been newly appointed to the university to trainees who are starting their careers here in Cottbus and want to move into their first apartment or shared flat. The topic of securing skilled workers and digitalization also plays a major role for us in the context of structural change.

What do you remember most fondly from your periods of study at BTU?
I have particularly fond memories of my semester abroad, which I spent in Italy. I also made some lasting friendships during my studies at BTU, as well as gaining a lot of experience in different areas and, above all, the many international contacts.