Building what lasts
Laura Kuch, a junior site manager, moved to Mannheim for her job. She talks about settling into the city and her work at Diringer & Scheidel
Reading time: 7 Minutes
We meet Laura Kuch at Patrick Henry Village in Heidelberg. Surrounded by site offices and newly completed apartments, the junior site manager at Diringer & Scheidel shows us a project that represents the future of construction: renovating rather than demolishing. The two former residential buildings date back to the time when the US Army was stationed here and have now undergone extensive modernisation. The apartments are ready for tenants to move into from October 2026.
Lina Kaluza
You moved to Mannheim for your job in 2024. How did it feel when you first arrived, and how do you feel about the city now?
Laura Kuch
At first, it was exciting to find out whether I would actually feel at home here. I hadn’t spent much time in Mannheim before moving here, so it was a bit of a lucky dip. I had no idea whether I would like it. But over the past two years, I’ve really settled in and feel very much at home. I think the city itself is pretty cool, too, and I’m definitely glad I decided to move here.
Lina Kaluza
What helped you settle in? Were there any sports or leisure activities that helped you meet people in Mannheim?
Laura Kuch
Yes, right at the beginning I looked for a tennis club and eventually chose one. There’s a huge selection of clubs in Mannheim. Again, I wasn’t sure whether it would be the right fit, but I stuck with it. I’m still a member and really enjoy playing tennis.
Lina Kaluza
You’re originally from southern Germany. What makes Mannheim’s location particularly attractive to you?
Laura Kuch
I studied in North Rhine-Westphalia and always passed through Mannheim by train, so I already knew that the city has excellent transport connections. But Mannheim has also turned out to be something of a central hub for me. No matter which direction I’m travelling in, considering all the places I’ve lived and worked so far, it has always been quite conveniently located in the middle. I’m also closer to where I grew up again and can get there more quickly, which is lovely.
Lina Kaluza
Speaking of good connections, are there any places around Mannheim that you particularly enjoy visiting?
Laura Kuch
Yes, you can get to the Palatinate very quickly. That region genuinely surprised me, and I really like it there. It doesn’t take long to get there, but it feels like you’ve entered a completely different world. There’s so much to do, from wine festivals to spending time in nature. So Mannheim is also a great place to live if you want a contrast to the city right on your doorstep.
Lina Kaluza
: You’re a junior site manager. How did you choose this career, and what did you study?
I studied industrial engineering with a specialisation in civil engineering. The course was definitely more heavily focused on civil engineering, so choosing this career wasn’t too much of a leap. After completing my master’s degree, I joined Diringer & Scheidel as a trainee. That’s how I moved into site management, and I was very happy to stay in the field.
Before our conversation in the site office, Laura takes us through the completed apartments. It soon becomes clear what renovating existing buildings is all about: preserving existing structures and materials wherever possible, conserving resources and creating modern housing at the same time. This approach is at the heart of Diringer & Scheidel’s work on this project and is helping to create a new neighbourhood for the region.
Lina Kaluza
From the outside, it’s difficult for me to imagine what a site manager’s day-to-day work actually looks like. Can you give us an insight?
Laura Kuch
That’s a very good question. There really is no such thing as a typical day. Of course, there are phases when certain tasks are quite similar, but every day is different and you never really know what to expect. It’s definitely exciting and varied, and I really enjoy it.
Lina Kaluza
What are the core responsibilities of a site manager?
Laura Kuch
There’s always this triangle of cost, quality and deadlines. Essentially, you supervise the different trades on site and check that their work is being carried out according to plan. You coordinate schedules, monitor costs and keep an eye on quality. Those are the recurring elements of the job. But the trades and the people on site are always different, so the actual work varies from project to project.
Lina Kaluza
So you’re on site, keeping an eye on the construction work and making sure everything goes to plan. What happens when something doesn’t go according to plan?
Then you have to respond quickly. That’s what makes the job exciting. Every day brings new challenges that you get to find solutions for, and that’s something I genuinely enjoy.
Lina Kaluza
Let’s talk about your employer. Is there anything you particularly about Diringer & Scheidel that made you want to join the company?
Laura Kuch
The company has a very strong local presence. When you walk through Mannheim, you see lots of Diringer & Scheidel construction sites, which is really cool. Once you work here, you realise just how extensive the D&S network is. Practically everyone in the construction industry knows the company. The fact that D&S is so well established was a major incentive for me.
Lina Kaluza
From an employee’s perspective, is there anything about Diringer & Scheidel that you find particularly special and that makes you feel comfortable there?
Laura Kuch
: I have to say, D&S may be quite a large and well-known company, but it still doesn’t feel impersonal. There are lots of opportunities to connect with colleagues. We see each other regularly, and the company also does a lot for its employees. I really appreciate that.
Lina Kaluza
Diringer & Scheidel has a large number of projects in Mannheim and the surrounding region. Is there one that is particularly close to your heart?
Laura Kuch
My own project here, of course. We’re at Patrick Henry Village, where we’re renovating the former American residential buildings that have been standing here for a long time. Naturally, this project is particularly close to my heart. Renovating existing buildings, and this project in particular, is something special. But when you walk through Mannheim city centre, you also can’t help noticing the many major projects we’ve built that carry the D&S signature. It’s a great feeling to work for a company that actively shapes the cityscape.
Lina Kaluza
As a site manager, you may see the city differently from people who have little to do with construction. Are there any particular features of the city or its development that stand out to you?
Laura Kuch
I have to say, there are many parts of the city that are very green and close to nature. In those areas, it doesn’t feel particularly urban at all, and certainly not like you’re in the middle of a city. But even in the city centre, there are lots of interesting things to see. Of course, everyone knows the Water Tower, but there are also our own projects that you regularly walk past. Overall, Mannheim has a surprising amount of natural and green space.
Lina Kaluza
You live in Neckarau. How would you describe the district to someone who has never been there?
Laura Kuch
It’s basically like a town within the city. It has its own centre and its own infrastructure, but it’s still very much part of Mannheim. You don’t have to travel far to go shopping or get to your sports club. Neckarau has pretty much everything you need, while still being part of the wider city.
Lina Kaluza
Is there a particular place there where you enjoy spending time?
Laura Kuch
Yes, the area towards the Rhine. You can get to the river quite quickly, and within no time at all you’re in the forest or surrounded by nature. It’s really beautiful.
Lina Kaluza
Before moving to Mannheim, you probably had certain ideas about the city. Was there anything that surprised you once you arrived?
The strong sense of connection surprised me. I feel that people in Mannheim are very connected to one another and have strong local networks. They’re also proud of their city, which I think is really cool. I wasn’t aware of that before moving here, but it’s something I really like.
Lina Kaluza
If you had to describe Mannheim in three terms, what would they be?
Laura Kuch
Culturally diverse, square and a great place to live.
Many thanks to Laura and Diringer & Scheidel for the fascinating insights into the project and everyday site management.