Nord LB, Dom Quartier Magdeburg

Dom Quartier

Detail

TYPOLOGY: Office

COUNTRY: Germany

CITY: Magdeburg

YEAR: 2002

COMPETITION: Invited Competition 1997, First Prize

GFA: 48.000 sqm

CLIENT: Nord/LB

PHOTOS: © Roland Halbe, Klemens Ortmeyer, Christian Richters, Edmund Summer

The extensive Square of Germany’s oldest Gothic Cathedral is framed to the east and north by Neo-Baroque (post-war reconstructed) Parliament and Chancellery for the state of Sachsen-Anhalt. The enclosure of the square is completed with these two new blocks housing a bank (Nord LB), Chamber of Commerce, offices, shops and restaurants.

The wider urban context is noble but battered and heterogeneous in the extreme. Only occasional fragments of the medieval or 19th century Prussian Administration city remain, marooned between socialist system built housing slabs. With German Reunification and the subsequent building boom Magdeburg like most east German cities was the recipient of a number of inner city shopping blocks and speculative offices competing in the free market rush with an explosion of out-of-town shopping and office boxes. In the subsequent economically depressed atmosphere the two new ‘Domplatz’ blocks represent foundation stones for a considered qualitative and long term investment in the culture of the city.

Two blocks are divided into three (three users) by the introduction of the ‘Bankgasse’ which bisects and animates the larger block, extends a Domplatz tree Allee and focuses on the neighbouring St. Sebastian. A compositional strategy of scenographic sequences (external and internal), and significant details (serpentine corners), rigorous geometries and poetic moments.

Volumetric stringency (a rigorous facade height of 20 metres and paired windows), are ameliorated by the patchwork texture and colour variations of the blue/grey stone facade (Brazilian Azul Macaubas). A haptic richness not unlike the irregular weathering of the 800 year old cathedral stones. Glazed and canopied Roof Pavilions set up above the rigorous parapet line a sequence of cross city vector relationships.

Systematized Office Interiors are interrupted by a larger sequence of movement spaces with light walls and material elaboration (Banking Hall, Atrium, Entrance Lobbies, Rooftop Restaurant).

Magdeburg, Nord LB, Som Quartier, Foto
Magdeburg, Nord LB, Som Quartier, Foto
Magdeburg, Nord LB, Som Quartier, Plan
Nord LB, Dom Quartier Magdeburg, foto
Nord LB, Dom Quartier Magdeburg, foto
Nord LB, Dom Quartier Magdeburg, foto
Nord LB, Dom Quartier Magdeburg, foto, Roland halbe
Nord LB, Dom Quartier Magdeburg, foto
Nord LB, Dom Quartier Magdeburg, foto
Nord LB, Dom Quartier Magdeburg, sketch, drawing, Zeichnung,
Magdeburg, Nord LB, Som Quartier, Foto
Magdeburg, Nord LB, dom Quartier, Foto
Magdeburg, Nord LB, Som Quartier, Foto
Magdeburg, Nord LB, Som Quartier, Foto
Nord LB, Dom Quartier Magdeburg, interior, interieur
Magdeburg, Nord LB, Som Quartier, Foto
Nord LB, Dom Quartier Magdeburg
Nord LB, Dom Quartier Magdeburg, Erdgeschoss, groundfloor, floorplan
Magdeburg, Nord LB, Som Quartier
Nord LB, Dom Quartier Magdeburg, Zeichnung, detail, schnitt, section
Nord LB, Dom Quartier Magdeburg, foto
Nord LB, Dom Quartier Magdeburg, drawing, sketch, Skizze, Zeichnung, Peter Wilson
Magdeburg, Nord LB, dom Quartier, Drawing, Sketch, Peter Wilson
Monteluce Quarter_Perugia_Masterplan_Model

Monteluce Quarter

Detail

TYPOLOGY: Masterplan / Mixed Use / Landscaping

COUNTRY: Italy

CITY: Perugia

YEAR: 2006 – 2015

COMPETITION: Invited Competition 2006, First Prize

CLIENT: BNL Fondi imobiliari SGR p.A. / Fondo Umbria – Monteluce Unit / BNP Paribas REIM SGR p.A.

AWARDS: Premio Urbanistica 2007 (category Quality of Public Spaces), Italian National Institute of Urban Planning

CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS: © BNP

MONTELUCE MASTERPLAN

On 12th sept. 2006 the office of Bolles+Wilson was awarded the first prize in the International Design Competition for Monteluce in Perugia.

The jury lead by Axel Sowa, director of “Architecture d’ aujourd’hui” commended the winning entry for its respect and sensitivity to the scale of Monteluce, its morphological compatibility with the historic structure of Perugia and its sympathetic relationship to the surrounding Umbrian landscape.

The Convento delle Clarisse of S. Maria di Monteluce originating in 1218 stands outside the Etruscan walls of Perugia, an outpost protecting one of the main access roads. Expansion outside the medieval walls reached Monteluce at the end of the nineteenth century. A concurrent appropriation of religious assets by the State instigated the opening of a gate to the Piazza Monteluce and between 1910 and 1923 the construction in the monastery garden of a series of hospital pavilions.

The Competition Program developed in close co-operation with the Commune di Perugia called for a total of 65,000 sqm – 43% of which is student and private housing and 25% subsidised housing. The new urban Quartier is networked in terms of a continuity of urban spaces and a rich programmatic mix including a maximum of 10% retail and 5% office use as well as hotel and conference facilities, local health offices, kindergarten and a new public park.

The Bolles+Wilson design developed and presented in 1:500 model format rejects authoritative geometry in favour of a sequencing of localised responses tailored to the dramatic topology and framed views out and across the luxurious Umbrian landscape. For economy and continuity many new structures occupy the footprint of redundant hospital buildings, a strategy that preserves the extensive terraced system of retaining walls and protected trees.

Bolles+Wilson describe their scheme as Urban Choreography, a sequence of public spaces unfolding from the S.Maria di Monteluce church in the west to the new Park d’Este. A first Piazza is framed by the Monestry portico and the one remaining Hospital Pavilion (Public Health Offices). To the north are offices and a submerged supermarket. To the south a Hotel and Conference Pavilion frame the view in the direction of Assisi. A second Conical Piazza is enclosed by a row of student housing buildings to the north and an opposing commercial/ restaurant Acropolis. Here deck- like upper terraces offer spectacular views of the historic skyline and Umbrian landscape.

MONTELUCE QUATTRO

The core of the new urban quarter became the (architectural) responsibility of BOLLES+WILSON (see siteplan). In realization it follows very closely the competition proposal of two Piazzas on the crest of the hill/ridge, underneath these two levels of carparking ensure car free public spaces (500 cars disappear underground). The strategic placement of these two Piazzas follows the typical Perugian trope of leaving one side of a space open for cooling winds and views out across the sensuous and gently rolling Umbrian landscape (views across the valley to Assisi).

The strategy of two piazzas introduces a spatial sequence resulting from the integration of the historic monastery and the12th century chapel – their arched entrance portal announces the entry to the first new Piazza, now named Piazza Cecilia Coppoli (1426-1500, poetess and humanist) and opened on 19th March 2015 by Catiusca Marini – President of the Region of Umbria. Signora Marini described the Monteluce spaces as ‘an investment in the culture of the city, also in the public patrimony of Perugia, an exemplary work and graceful urban transformation, one that experiments with a new contemporary urban architecture.’

Monteluce Quarter_Perugia_Masterplan_Photo_Foto
Monteluce Quarter_Perugia_Masterplan_Photo_Foto
Monteluce Quarter_Perugia_Masterplan_Photo_Foto
Monteluce Quarter_Perugia_Masterplan_Photo_Foto
Monteluce Quarter_Perugia_Masterplan_Photo_Foto
Monteluce Quarter_Perugia_Masterplan_Luftbild_Aerial view
Monteluce Quarter_Perugia_Masterplan_Model
Monteluce Quarter_Perugia_Masterplan_Photo_Model
Monteluce Quarter_Perugia_Masterplan_Lageplan_Masterplan_Siteplan
Monteluce Quarter_Perugia_Masterplan_Section_Schnitt
Monteluce Quarter_Perugia_Masterplan_Foto_Photo
Monteluce Quarter_Perugia_Masterplan_Photo_Foto
Monteluce Quarter_Perugia_Masterplan_Photo_Foto
Monteluce Quarter_Perugia_Masterplan_Photo_Foto
Monteluce Quarter_Perugia_Masterplan_Photo_Foto
Monteluce Quarter_Perugia_Masterplan_Sketch_Skizze
Berlin Studios Frobenstrasse, Berlin, Aya Schamoni

Studios Frobenstraße 1

Detail

TYPOLOGY: Residential

COUNTRY: Germany

CITY: Berlin-Schöneberg

YEAR: 2020

GFA: 2.300 sqm

CLIENT: Frobenstraße 1 GbR

AWARDS: BDA Preis – nominated

PHOTOS: © Aya Schamoni

INTERIOR APARTMENT 9: studio f1 (Jack Wilson, Chris Geseke)

Finished in late 2020 Frobenstraße 1 offers for renting 11 variously sized apartments and 2 commercial units in an area of fashionable shops and galleries (Potsdamer Straße), street prostitution, social housing and huge investor driven developments of owner occupied apartments.

Frobenstraße 1 is a chorus member. It is not a Primadonna that steps out to front stage. The choreography of urban choruses is the Großstadt-DNA of Berlin, Paris or Barcelona. It defines the street line and the eaves line. In Frobenstraße 1 the upper facade limit is articulated with a recessed shadow line, a modest but significant detail.

The well behaved chorus anticipates a fictive future block-perimeter conclusion to the south, where there is now a Kindergarten with luxurious trees. Here the pink side wall (fire wall) presents itself for the kids with its giant footprint graphic.

Unlike the Bel étage of a Paris House the first floor here has the standard 3,10 m room height, but its special relation to the street is prescribed by the delicate and continuous railing.

The window composition to the street describes the internal layout where three apartments break out of the standard, but generous room height to 4,80 m and 6,50 m. The grey facade has therefore aspirations to be read as a palazzo, with the projecting penthouse window playing the classic attica.

The garden facade is more domestic, balconies meandering out for afternoon sun and individual planting.

For the interior communal stair and lift black and white tiles dignify homecoming.

Berlin Studios Frobenstrasse, Berlin, Aya Schamoni
Berlin Studios Frobenstrasse, Berlin, Aya Schamoni, Giant footprint
Berlin Studios Frobenstrasse, Berlin, Aya Schamoni
Berlin Studios Frobenstrasse, Berlin, Aya Schamoni
Berlin Studios Frobenstrasse, Berlin, Aya Schamoni
Berlin Studios Frobenstrasse, Berlin, Aya Schamoni, window, fenster
Berlin Studios Frobenstrasse, Berlin, Aya Schamoni
Berlin Studios Frobenstrasse, Berlin, Aya Schamoni, interior
Berlin Studios Frobenstrasse, Berlin, Aya Schamoni
Berlin Studios Frobenstrasse, Berlin, Aya Schamoni, interior, stairs, treppe
Berlin Studios Frobenstrasse, Berlin, Aya Schamoni, interior, entrance, eingang
Berlin Studios Frobenstrasse, Berlin, Aya Schamoni, interior, eingang, hall, entrance
Berlin Studios Frobenstrasse, Berlin, Aya Schamoni, interior, Aufzug, elevator
Berlin Studios Frobenstrasse, Berlin, Aya Schamoni, interior
Berlin Studios Frobenstrasse, Berlin, plan, Lageplan
Berlin Studios Frobenstrasse, Berlin, plan, Grundriss, groundloor, erdgeschoss
Berlin Studios Frobenstrasse, Berlin, plan, Grundriss, floor plan
Berlin Studios Frobenstrasse, Berlin, plan, Grundriss, floor plan
Berlin Studios Frobenstrasse, Berlin, plan, section
Berlin Studios Frobenstrasse, Berlin, plan, section
inselpark entrance complex_hamburg_dorfmueller kroeger klier

Inselpark Entrance Complex

Detail

TYPOLOGY: Office, Residential

COUNTRY: Germany

CITY: Hamburg

YEAR: 2013

COMPETITION: Invited Competition 2011, First Prize

PHOTOS: © Markus Dorfmüller, Johanna Klier

The masterplan required two towers to mark the entrance to the Garden Show and Building exhibition. The big-brother of the pair, the giant, striped (Jacobs-coat) Sauerbruch and Hutton building, a new hive for Hamburg’s Planning Department (BSU) was not, according to the competition brief, to be upstaged by its neighbour. Already at the outset the bumpy road forward was in evidence when the black facade (no competition for polychromy) of the premiated BOLLES+WILSON entry was rejected by the developers of the railway-track side of the same block – not the right statement for their housing for the elderly. The facade mutated to green. “No green”, said the same developer, green is the colour of their chairman’s football team’s archrivals. The architects insisted that football allegiances is not a credible basis for urban planning decisions, and supported by the ubiquitous director of planning, the corner tower remained green. To get planning approval the developers were caused to sign a commitment that the green ceramic façade, a thematicised official entry to the Garden Show, would not be compromised during planning and construction. A wise requirement as fast track planning was necessitated by delays due to wobbly project financing around 2011. Further down the track a rapid rethink of the green facade was again necessitated by ‘just-in-time’ scheduling. The planed gluing of the rippled ceramic tile stripes would have to happen in winter (sub zero temperatures render glues impotent). A dry system of hung ceramic panels was at the last minute chosen and the respectfully stepping facade arrived as the IBA building exhibition opened.

The 9-floor tower is a medical centre, highly installed individual doctors rooms. Apartments and duplex penthouses with sculptural cut-out balconies occupy the top three floors. A darkening of the green ceramic facade signals a separate function for the four-floor wing to the south. This is the InselAkademie promoting sport for teenagers – not only from the surrounding Wilhelmsburg dockland district, characterised by social housing, immigration and unemployment. The upper floors of the InselAkadamie are group apartments for sporting youth and the lower two floors seminar and the temporary administration rooms of the IBA (International Building Exhibition). This building is in fact the hub of the IBA and also post IBA activities.

inselpark entrance complex_hamburg_dorfmueller kroeger klier
inselpark entrance complex_hamburg_dorfmueller kroeger klier
inselpark entrance complex_hamburg_dorfmueller kroeger klier
inselpark entrance complex_hamburg_aerial view
inselpark entrance complex_hamburg_dorfmueller kroeger klier
inselpark entrance complex_hamburg_figure ground plan
inselpark entrance complex_hamburg_elevation
inselpark entrance complex_hamburg_section
inselpark entrance complex_hamburg_functions
inselpark entrance complex_hamburg_dorfmueller kroeger klier
leos gate_munster

Leo’s Gate Coworking und Coliving

Detail

TYPOLOGY: Office / Residential

COUNTRY: Germany

CITY: Münster

YEAR: 2020

GFA: 8.140 sqm

CLIENT: Leos Gate GmbH & Co. KG – New work and -living

STATUS: In progress

Leo’s Gate is the fourth building block on the site of the former ice rink in Münster. It marks the entrance to the Science Quarter from Steinfurter Strasse. The mixed use with catering units on the ground floor, flexible Coworking Spaces and Coliving Modules on the upper floors is multifunctional.

Different wooden constructions are planned depending on use and requirements. Floor-to-ceiling timber trusses with light ribbed ceiling slabs are used in the cantilevered Coworking areas. The 45 residential units are delivered as completely prefabricated and furnished wooden modules and are stacked over four floors.

All facade elements are designed in a uniform shade of red, which blends in with the entire ensemble of the historical Leonardo campus and the new brick buildings in the area.

leos gate_munster_street view
leos gate_munster_elevantin_ansicht
leos gate_munster_street view
leos gate_munster
leos gate_munster
leos gate_munster_interior
leos gate_munster_interior
leos gate_munster_facade_fassade
leos gate_munster_facade_fassade
leos gate_munster_plan_grundriss
leos gate_munster_section_schnitt