Office building Karlstraße • David Chipperfield Architects

The area to the north of Munich Central Station is currently undergoing substantial urban change. The multifaceted character of the area, composed of office and residential buildings as well as the manufacturing industry, is increasingly losing its industrial character and evolving into a lively, urban district. Although the cubic structure bears reference to the block perimeter developments typical for Munich, the new office building presents itself as a distinct building within the streetscape.

Two large entrances are carved into the volume which lead to a publicly accessible garden courtyard in the centre of the site, opening the building up to the neighbourhood. Access to the building is via this leafy courtyard, which also features seating and a water basin.

A single-storey building with a distinctive sawtooth roof spans the area between the new building and its neighbour, providing a bright function room. Its roof shape is a reinterpretation of a workshop building that was previously situated on the property, linking the development to the industrial history of the neighbourhood. The one-storey building is set back from the street, to create an inviting entrance space.

The almost quadratic floor plan of the building complex allows for flexible use of the spaces within, while the open floor plan of the upper office floors facilitates diverse office concepts. A canteen is housed in the saw-tooth roof building, while a the rooftop terrace on the main building provides space for socialising as well as sweeping views over the city.

Façade columns at regular intervals and made of precast concrete elements structure the volume vertically. Horizontal ledges on each second floor combine the two intermediate floors and give the building a three-part order. The materiality of the precast concrete with natural stone aggregates is reminiscent of the conglomerate stone prevalent in the surrounding area, and contrasts with the dark-coloured, anthracite frames of the window openings. In the courtyard, a recessed entrance arcade at ground floor level and balconies on all four sides give structure to the inner façade. The building is built according to LEED Gold sustainability standards.

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