The earth science showcase
Wettbewerbsperspektive
Wettbewerbsperspektive

The earth science showcase

LocationMunich
ClientFreistaat Bayern, repr. by Staatliches Bauamt München 2
ProcedureCompetition 2018, Recognition

With its timeless façade, the new site of the department of earth and environmental sciences at the LMU Munich and the Bavarian Natural History Collections unites the two institutions and anchors them firmly in society.  The urban ensemble opens a new, connected network of public pathways and squares between the hospital district with its large stand-alone buildings and the smaller-scale closed architecture of the area around Munich’s central station. The imposing arcades of the forum building focus attention on the corner situation of the ensemble. Elegant, building-high columns give way to equally high glazing elements that function as an inviting showcase for the sciences. The structure and depth of both buildings’ façades function as variations of the same fundamental architectural concept. The forum building, characterised by its rounded arches, counteracts the rigorous, linearly arranged façade of the laboratory building. The centerpiece of the architectural concept is the interior hall of the laboratory building, which rises like a helix with cascading terraces, serving as both a central communication space and access hub.