Who should sign the architect's contract?

In the worst case, this can also be resolved with a power of attorney. However, I believe it is much easier if there is only one contact person and decision-maker. I have a good friend who is a notary and owns a larger law firm. Recently, we had a similar case in the extended family (financing and construction before the wedding). It is quite clear that every contract is considered a gift in the worst case before the wedding. Therefore, I prefer to be on the safe side.

It does not particularly matter who of you signs. Apart from the rights to the designs, no later ownership is attached to the architect contract. The amount is manageable. A more important question is: Will you later live in your, or in your house?

A more important question is: Will you later live in your, or in your house?

I don't know what that has to do with the architect contract. But yes, we will later live in our own house.

I don't know what that has to do with the architect contract. But yes, we will later live in our own house.

That was not the question - it was aimed at who will own the house!

Haha ok. Understood...
So the question was about who will later be listed in the land register?
As I said, I actually didn’t want to go into this here because it really has nothing to do with the architect contract.

There are indeed both variants:
1. Only one person is listed in the land register
2. Both persons are listed 50/50 or to whatever share in the land register.

We have already mostly informed ourselves about the advantages and disadvantages. Of course, you can’t always see it purely and fact-based. I think both people always have an emotional interest that the house they are spending money on really belongs to them, and not just having a possible financial share based on the chosen marital property regime.

Therefore, it will probably come down to us both being listed in the land register and thus we will live in [Unserem Haus] ;)
The final decision will of course be made before relevant contracts are signed.

The question of whether you will live in your or your house also has an emotional component that can have relationship-relevant effects and thus, in the worst case, raises financial questions related to building financing, which you have considered here. "My partner lives with me in my house" feels very different from "We live together in our house." These sentences can be said and felt independently of the land register.