Article source: J. MAYER H. und Partner, Architekten
The geometry of the building is based on the footprint of the house that previously was located on the site. Originally built in 1984 and with many extensions and modifications since then, the new building echoes the „family archaeology“ by duplication and rotation. Lifted up, it creates a semi-public space on ground level between two layers of discretion. The skin of the villa performs a sophisticated connection between inside and outside and offers spectacular views onto the old town of Marbach and the German national literature archive on the other side of the Neckar valley.
The striking residence, a monolith designed of insulating concrete is located on a quiet street with little traffic in the village of Pliezhausen, a good 30 km south of Stuttgart.
Facing the street, the new building presents only a few openings cut deeply into the solid concrete shell. While the crystal-shaped house still relates to the existing built context due to its parallel elongated sides, it contrasts distinctly with the neighboring buildings by virtue of the tapered ends formed by its shorter sides. It is this oblique arrangement of the facades that enables the building to open out to the surrounding outdoor spaces and to offer its inhabitants unexpectedly expansive views in the distance. A conventional gable roof and the gently rising terrain reinforce the angular, sculptural effect of the house, which is designed on a hexagonal ground plan.
The hospital complex of RWTH Aachen will be expanded with a new building, containing a central surgery area, including intensive care units and a new public entrance hall. State-of-the-art surgeries and ICUs make it the most important component of Aachen‘s healthcare provision. With their design on the area of the landmarked complex HENN + C.F. Møller Architects could prevail against twelve other offices.
The building site is situated at the intersection between Hamburg’s lively downtown and its urban landscape that is rich in water and mature trees. It is at the transition from city to nature, and the gateway building to the bustling metropolitan core.
The horizontal striped facade with its floating “eyes” celebrates the view onto this unique context. A public park in front of the building continues the design strategy of the facade into the landscape. The “eyes” in the facade and the platforms in the park enable the places to meet and contemplate.
Directly on the Elbe, commanding a prominent position in the HafenCity, stands the Marco Polo Tower right beside the new Unilever headquarters, also by Behnisch Architekten. The 55 m high tower punctuates the end of the route from the inner city out to the new attractions, the Cruise Ship Terminal and the Promenade on Strandkai. In its form and arrangement, it is a unique and remarkable sculptured building, adding to Hamburg’s silhouette on the Elbe. Its 17 above ground levels, each turned a few degrees on their axis, allow all 58 apartments spectacular views over the harbour and the city.
In the center of the Bavarian town of Bad Aibling lies Marienplatz, a historic plaza flanked by public, retail and hotel buildings. It is here that the two main streets of the town intersect and where the existing city hall from the 1970s has stood. In recent years, the town of Bad Aibling decided to construct a new city hall as a means by which to further invigorate the centre.
The New Central Building at Leuphana University of Lüneburg, designed in collaboration with Daniel Libeskind, provides the campus with a landmark building that promotes the vision of innovation and excellence for the university.
“The building represents our University at its best for the future. It establishes the new agora for students and professors as well as other visitors to foster the exchange of ideas, to inspire creativity and to support a vibrant academic life. It will be a landmark of Lüneburg’s culture,” said Leuphana President Sascha Spoun.
Masquespacio just finished their last project in Cologne, Germany, for supermarket chain Solera.
Sevillian entrepreneur Pepa Bascón decided to move to the German city Cologne twenty years ago in search of new adventures. After several experiences in hospitality, more than 10 years ago she decided to set up a small store of Spanish products in the center of Cologne, bringing the best of her native country to Germany. Thanks to the good acceptation of her project years further she decided to constitute a more ambitious wholesaler to attend a growing demand of Spanish products by Italian and Spanish restaurants in and around Cologne and Dusseldorf. The augmenting popularity of Spanish gastronomy in Germany, made that Pepa Bascón in 2016 decided to open a new ‘cash & carry’ supermarket with the aim to offer a specific service to non-professional clients in Cologne. For that she contacted Masquespacio to design her new brand and interior space. The design of the new Solera from around 500 m2 was developed in search of a touch of Mediterranean emotion, mixed with functional features necessary for this type of businesses. The predominating black color offers seriousness, contrasted with several ‘happy’ colors that remind to Spain, without converting themselves in typical Spanish topics. Other elements make us think about Andalucía like the grids with ornaments, as well as the awnings and typical Mediterranean tiles.
The design concept identifies three key concerns. Firstly: the need to slot a new building into the topography and character of a 19th century park with respect to its historic neighbouring structures, in particular a nearby chapel. Secondly: the desire to create a welcoming and lively educational environment both for children and the adults who work there. And last but not least: the aspiration to employ innovative technology to create a building that produces more energy than it consumes.
In the historic former cold storage building “Eierspeicher” on the north bank of the River Spree, Osthafen, Berlin, Bruzkus Batek architects have undertaken the redesign and comprehensive material and spatial conception of Razorfish’s 2500 sq m office space. The office occupies two levels, linked by pre-existing staircases. The elements of the new design enclose the building’s structure without disturbing it, working harmoniously with the existing elements, mainly using OSB.
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