Press Release - MOEDING Keramikfassaden GmbH

Reserved generosity – elegantly integrated
Expansion of the Bavarian state parliament building in the
northern courtyard of the Maximilianeum in Munich.
This article’s heading also describes the architectural aim of
the expansion work as worded by the Berlin-based architects’
firm Léon Wohlhage Wernik in its competition submission in
2009. Today, the new-build within the opulent ensemble with
historic grandeur fulfills that very description: a cuboid
structure as the final connecting piece between Friedrich
Bürklein’s
Maximilianeum
from
1857
to
1874,
Helmut
Gebhard’s north wing extension from 1965, and the adjoining
structure by Volker Staab and Jürgen Pleuser, completed in
1994. With a clear shape and great physical presence, the most
recent new-build nevertheless still create its own, independent
conclusion
to
the
complex.
Its
ceramic
facade
and
unpretentious geometry enable the building to fit perfectly into
the ensemble with a sense of reserved creativity.
In harmony with the listed surroundings
The limited ground space made a compact structure necessary.
Despite being the only north-facing building on the complex, this
does not interfere with the previous east-west axis of symmetry or in
any way distort the historical framings – not even by means of the
assembly hall on the top floor, with its 1.75 m overhang.
Surrounded by powerful historic buildings, the new extension in no
way overpowers the Maximilianeum. Only the slight protrusion of the
assembly hall indicates ‘modernity’ and gives this building section
an independent urban planning presence. The materials, color, and
texture of the facade, modernly interpreted with a back-ventilated,
curtain-wall ceramic finish, together with the window heights and
recess depths, make reference to the existing buildings in order to
develop a harmonious transition and a sustainably valid interaction.
The regular rhythm of the windows is solely interrupted by the larger
models used for the assembly hall, again emphasizing the
importance of this room, this time through its architecture.
Curtain-wall ceramic facade
The facade’s design reflects the creative concept behind the
building and its suitability within the historic surroundings yet also
considers economic and technical requirements, as well as, and in
particular, the requirements with regard to sustainable energy. This
led to the fulfillment of some of the project’s key aims. The highlyinsulated facades are clad with contoured ceramic tiles, which
together with the glazing positioned flush with the facade give the
structure a sculptural presence. When regarded as an overall
structure, the vertical window elements alternate with large ceramic
areas. From close up, the facade also shows off its horizontally
arranged pattern. The tiles for this building were specially developed
and supplied by Moeding Keramikfassaden GmbH in Marklkofen.
Despite the ceramic material all being of the same color (terracottabeige), the tile surface is adorned with two alternating recesses of
different widths to create a seemingly random, vivid and nuanced
look; the shadows cast give the facade a plastic appearance. The
effect is further heightened by the use of ceramic tiles with three
different heights (20, 50 and 80 cm), distributed across the facade
in a seemingly random fashion.
Produced and supplied in lengths of 80 to 185 cm depending on the
design specifications, the tiles are attached to an aluminum
substructure using the rapid system developed by MOEDING. This
made it possible to conduct the ‘substructure’ (including the tile
holders) and ‘tile fitting’ work stages independently of one another
and to save time. The 22-cm-thick insulation (the building complies
with the passive house standard!) is located between the
substructure’s vertical base profiles.
Merging the members’ offices in one location
The six-story building fulfills the further need for offices for the
members of the now five fractions represented in the state
parliament while also providing a conference hall. On four of the
floors, the offices are arranged around a central hallway and service
area with striking, warm-red wooden paneling that contrasts with the
otherwise reserved design. In the new assembly hall on the 4th
floor, visible from the exterior due to its overhang, this red, paneled
center becomes the front of the room. The high windows offer views
of the Isar River from three sides. Bridges already connected the
functional offices in the ‘Gebhard’ building to the historical building.
The creation of a direct connection to this existing building has now
integrated the new-build into the entire state parliament complex. To
replace the swimming pool demolished to make room for the new
building, a new spa area (gym, sauna) was created in the basement
area that extends into the garden.
As with the previous extensions to the Maximilianeum, it was once
again
made
clear
that
artistic
restraint
and
architectural
independence within the immediate vicinity of a monumental listed
building are not only theoretically possible but also architecturally
feasible.
4.336 signs
Project data
Project name:
Extension of the Bavarian state parliament building
in the Maximilianeum, Munich
General contractor:
State Construction Office, Munich 2
Architects:
Léon Wohlhage Wernik, Berlin
(work phases 1-5 and parts of 8)
Energy concept:
Arup, Berlin
Construction management: BM.C Baumanagement GmbH, Munich
Structural planning:
Bracher Bock Ingenieure, Munich
Facade cladding:
MOEDING Keramikfassaden GmbH, Marklkofen, Germany
Grounds:
Luska Freiraum GmbH, Dachau
Electrical planning:
Koscheinz & Partner Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH,
Ruhstorf an der Rott
Fire protection:
HHP, Berlin
Competition:
1st prize 2009
Gross area:
4,300 m2, 8 stories, incl. 6 above ground
Planning period:
2009 to 2011
Start of construction
of the new-build:
2010
Completion:
2012
Extension of the Bavarian state parliament building in the
Maximilianeum
With its ceramic facade and the clear geometrical shape, the
new-build blends in to the historic environment while the
protruding upper floor adds a self-assured accent.
Architects: LÉON WOHLHAGE WERNIK, Berlin
Photo: MOEDING Keramikfassaden GmbH, Marklkofen (St. MüllerNaumann, Munich)
Extension of the Bavarian state parliament building in the Maximilianeum
The new building in the northern courtyard seals the gap between the Maximilianeum
from 1857 to 1874 and Helmut Gebhard’s northern wing extension from 1965.
Architects: LÉON WOHLHAGE WERNIK, Berlin
Photo: MOEDING Keramikfassaden GmbH, Marklkofen (St. Müller-Naumann, Munich)
Extension of the Bavarian state parliament building in the Maximilianeum
In the historically grand ensemble, the new extension building in no way overpowers the
Maximilianeum from the second half of the 19th century.
Architects: LÉON WOHLHAGE WERNIK, Berlin
Photo: MOEDING Keramikfassaden GmbH, Marklkofen (St. Müller-Naumann, Munich)
Extension of the Bavarian state parliament building in the Maximilianeum
The material, color, and texture of the contoured ceramic facade reflect the existing
buildings.
Architects: LÉON WOHLHAGE WERNIK, Berlin
Photo: MOEDING Keramikfassaden GmbH, Marklkofen (St. Müller-Naumann, Munich)
Extension of the Bavarian state parliament building in
the Maximilianeum
The new building is integrated into the internal network of
thoroughfares by a direct connection to the existing building
from the 1960s but can also be directly accessed through its
own entrance with a small foyer.
Architects: LÉON WOHLHAGE WERNIK, Berlin
Photo: MOEDING Keramikfassaden GmbH, Marklkofen (St. MüllerNaumann, Munich)
Extension of the Bavarian state parliament building in the Maximilianeum
The highly-insulated facade is clad with contoured ceramic tiles, which together with the
glazing positioned flush with the facade give the structure its sculptural presence.
Architects: LÉON WOHLHAGE WERNIK, Berlin
Photo: MOEDING Keramikfassaden GmbH, Marklkofen (St. Müller-Naumann, Munich)
Extension of the Bavarian state parliament building in the Maximilianeum
The heart of the building, which contains the hallways and service areas, stands out against
the otherwise reserved design through its warm-red wooden paneling.
Architects: LÉON WOHLHAGE WERNIK, Berlin
Photo: MOEDING Keramikfassaden GmbH, Marklkofen (St. Müller-Naumann, Munich)