study
2011
data
BGF 11,300 m2
client
moo.con für MVV Verkehr GmbH
Rhein-Neckar Verkehr GmbH
The transport system of Mannheim runs the public transportation network in the Mannheim region.
The company is located in the historically developed industrial area where new tram depots and maintenance buildings will create up to 400 new jobs.
The first step was to do a feasibility study that centers around 2 essential questions driven from the current situation of the construction site:
Is it even possible to develop a spatial program of that size in the given area? How do we connect the targeted building qualities of a new building with that of the heterogeneous industrial area?
The feasibility study first focuses on the demands of the MVV on a new building – the room structure and the arrangement of the individual office spaces for example. The grounds of the lot are also tested in terms of construction feasibility, noise emissions, etc.
The second part of the study focuses on questions concerning a design of a building prototype.
The suggested prototype vividly illustrates an architectural solution that’s characteristics follow that of a newer building.
Tripod + Cocoon
The geometry of the offices are kept as compact as can be – organized into a type of ‘tripod’ with three building structures and three connecting building elements. This arrangement is typologically the most compact.
We developed a Cocoon-like prototype: the heterogeneous and unattractive industrial environment substantiates the design of a building separate from its surroundings. To do this, we designed a façade that filters out the outside environment and provides a sufficient amount of free space inside – thus compensating for the buildings unattractive surroundings.
The facade works as a membrane that controls the atmospheric impact of the interior and exterior of the building. The membrane encloses almost the entire property as a solid wall and strongly defines the interior volume ...
... in which the five to six-storey office spaces reside. The residual spaces between the three building elements link the various office spaces, is a space for informal communication and spatial orientation.
From the inside, the facade - due to the three separate building elements – has a very large surface area. As a result, the complex array of various functional building spaces are created enabling a high-qualitative workspace.
The exterior of the facade appears large and emblematic. The building can thereby be easily located within the industrial area.