Head office REWAG in Bavaria, Germany by GEWERS PUDEWILL

Article source: GEWERS PUDEWILL

Planning a head office for a municipal energy company can be a significantly different process depending on whether the location is an anonymous metropolitan structure, greenfield land or as in this case a 2000 year-old city like Regensburg, whose city center was included in the 2006 UNESCO World Heritage List.

Optimizing processes, increasing flexibility, creating an identity, linking company departments as well as a sensitive urban repairs – these were some of the project goals formulated by the client for a restricted competition in 2016.

Image Courtesy © HG Esch Photography

• Architects: GEWERS PUDEWILL
• Project: Head office REWAG
• Location: Bavaria, Germany
• Photography: HG Esch Photography

Image Courtesy © HG Esch Photography

The site intended for the new building had a natural triangular layout, surrounded by buildings of varying height, design and age. Part of the challenge was to create harmony without dominating the adjacent structures.

The answer was to create three building cores in an interlinked, organically curved triangular structure that elegantly enters into dialogue with the heterogeneous surroundings but is nevertheless confidently perceived as a solitaire. Inspiration came from the flow of energy currents, as well as continual work processes.

Due to its exposed location, the building does not have a classic rear face, instead the different height levels of the reinforced concrete building correspond to the neighbouring properties. This spatial arrangement also maximises the amount of availble sunlight.

Image Courtesy © HG Esch Photography

Image Courtesy © HG Esch Photography

Inside the building, versatile spaces, flooded with light are easily adaptable according to the changing requirements of the modern working world. The interior design concept references the elegant natural stone facade through light, materials and colour moods, without imitating it.

The outdoor areas connect with the surrounding development and echo the organic shape of the building in a free interpretation. As a result, several interconnected outdoor areas are created, integrating the surroundings, forming small squares, and leading back into the freely accessible and lavishly designed inner courtyard of the building.

Connecting the existing trees with high-grade raised beds encompassing seating areas creates a very special ambience that can be enjoyed by employees and neighbours alike. The open-air areas and recreational facilities extend to the individually staggered roofs, which offer generous terraces for employee use in addition to extensive green roofs.

Regional façade materials serve as a visible contribution to sustainability and identity – the natural stone Kehlheimer Limestone is sourced in the immediate vicinity of Regensburg.

Image Courtesy © HG Esch Photography

Image Courtesy © HG Esch Photography

In order to fully utilize the design possibilities of a natural stone façade, distinctive surfaces were created on the individual parapets with the help of stone masonry methods such as hammering and tooling. This creates noticeable variations and fine nuances in light reflection and shadow formation, further enlivening the curved, rear-ventilated façade.

Precision and consistency in the implementation of fewer but more essential design elements such as curves, materials and surface finishes characterize the building also lending it a timeless quality.

These properties, as well as the calm and precise design aspects, constitutes a prerequisite for joining the many successful and important buildings in Regensburg in the long term.

Image Courtesy © HG Esch Photography

Tags: Bavaria, Germany

Categories: Office Building, office Complex, Office space, Offices

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