Ben van Berkel /UNStudio’s design selected as winning entry for the BaumkirchenMitte in Munich
UNStudio's design for the BaumkirchenMitte in Munich has been selected as the winning entry from a shortlist of 6 finalists which included, among others, BIG Architects, Juergen Mayer H Architects and Schneider + Schumacher Architects.
UNStudio worked in collaboration with OR else Landscapes on the design for the18,500m2 residential and office complex located in the east of Munich. With its 60 metre high tower the project will become the focal point for the entrance to the new BaumkirchenMitte development.
Ben van Berkel: “In the design for the facadeof the buildingwe chose for an articulated sobriety, incorporating contrasting scales of detail.The horizontal bands which wrap and organise the building present a sober articulation from a distance, however as you get closer to the building you discover a refined scale of intricate,complex detailing.”
New work Concentrated individual work, brainstorming sessions and impromptu meetings are fast becoming part of contemporary work culture and require spaces and layouts that can respond flexibly to these new demands. In UNStudio’s design neutral spaces, such as foyers, lobbies and meeting areas are used to establish the identity of the building. The design combines both zones that guarantee maximum flexibility for varying combinations of users and exclusively designed areas that provide spaces for communication and creativity.
New living Changing demands and expectations in contemporary living form the starting point for the residential areas within UNStudio’s design. Flexible accommodation types are incorporated which afford variable constellations and offer the possibility to combine adjacent units. In addition, flexible floor plans enablea variety of configurations in the apartment layouts, thereby directly addressing the specific and individual needs of the residents.
Outdoor spaces vary in scale and form an integral part of the apartments.The living experience is therefore not confined to the dwellings alone, but instead begins as you arrive at the building and enter the circulation areas. Thereafter it extends into shared and private outdoor spaces. This extension of the living concept stimulates interaction between residents and creates a balance between activated public spaces and the need for privacy
Duality The facade design reflects the duality of the programme, with two contrasting materialsdefining the look and feel of the building. Bright metal forms the background, lending the structure a contemporary and light aesthetic, whilst thecontrasting use of wood affords the building the appearance ofa custom-made furniture piece for the urban space.
A sustainable living landscape The remainingtraces on the location of a previous rail yard form the blueprint for the structure of the roof gardens. The linear frameworks in the landscaping of the gardens accommodate fields of kitchen gardens and play areas, as well as rows of ornamental grasses and flowering perennials andare inspired by the spontaneous vegetation of the track fields. Through the integration of vegetable gardens, systems for rainwater harvesting, composting and beekeeping areas the roof garden becomes more than just a recreation area. It additionally plays an important ecological role bycontributing to a sustainable living environment.
The sustainability concept for the complex is based on a requirement specific application of different types of façade, while reducing active technical building components.
