Architects, urban planners, and researchers with decades of combined international experience across design, development, and strategic spatial practice.
Frank Schurack is a German architect born in 1967 in Frankfurt am Main. He studied architecture at Technische Universität Darmstadt, earning a Dipl.-Ing. degree, and further expanded his academic experience in Florence and at the Städelschule in Frankfurt. During his studies, he completed an internship with Peter Eisenman in New York. He founded and partnered in several architectural practices in Germany and China, including leadership roles in Tianjin and Beijing. From 2022, he has served as Managing Director of run.x.projects GmbH. His portfolio includes major educational and administrative projects with construction volumes up to €74 million, primarily in Germany. In addition to his professional work, he has participated in exhibitions and award-winning architectural competitions and is proficient in multiple design software programs and languages.
Kai Bierich is a German architect born in 1957 in Hamburg. He studied architecture at the Technische Hochschule Darmstadt and gained early international experience in the United States. After working with Behnisch & Partner in Stuttgart, he co-founded his own practice and later became a long-term partner at wulf architekten. He led major projects, including the overall development of the Landesmesse Stuttgart, and directed offices in Shanghai and Beijing, overseeing projects across Asia. Alongside his professional work, he has been actively involved in teaching at universities in Stuttgart and as a guest professor in China. Since 2018, he has focused on independent architectural and artistic projects through his own studio and gallery initiatives, while continuing to contribute to lectures and architectural juries.
Felix Nowak is an architect and urban planner. He holds a diploma from TU Darmstadt (1995) and has over 20 years of professional experience in practice, research, and teaching. He is a co-founder of bb22 architekten + stadtplaner (established in 2006; PartG mbB since 2018). His work involves national and international urban development and research projects, including several ExWoSt initiatives for the BBSR, EU-funded programs, and consultancy work in Indonesia.
Laura Sherriff is an accomplished interior designer with a refined eye for spatial composition and material detail. She brings a thoughtful, human-centred approach to every project, ensuring that interiors feel both purposeful and inviting. Her work at OXA Architects spans residential conversions, corporate workplaces, and hospitality spaces, where she balances contemporary aesthetics with functional precision.
Aleksandra Cichy is an architect and urban designer with expertise in concept development and visual storytelling. She studied at the Politecnico di Milano in Italy, where she had the opportunity to learn from leading figures in the field, including Renzo Piano. She brings international experience to OXA, having previously worked at BIG in Barcelona and VMX Architects in Amsterdam. Working across different scales, from architectural concepts and buildings to urban strategies, she strives to create meaningful, human-centered architecture that responds thoughtfully to its context.
Gao Yingjin is a distinguished researcher and professor with expertise in public art and visual culture. As Director of the Visual Arts Research Center at Nankai University, he brings a deep academic perspective to urban regeneration and public spatial design. His work focuses on the integration of mix-media art into the built environment, ensuring that large-scale projects — such as his contributions to the Beijing Olympic torch relay route — respond meaningfully to their cultural and social context.
Jannik Bergmann is a dedicated architect with a focus on urban design and practical implementation. He studied at the University of Applied Sciences in Frankfurt, where he developed a strong foundation in architectural theory and technical planning. Prior to joining the team, he gained valuable professional experience at bb22 architekten + stadtplaner, contributing to various residential and urban projects with a commitment to design clarity and functional detail.