Max Planck Institute for European Legal History, Frankfurt a. M. Read more

The balance between the Max Planck Society’s commitment to independence and the urban development guidelines that require the building to be a part of the new campus—characterised by Hans Poelzigs IG Farben Building—was the key issue in designing the Institute for European Legal History. The decision was made to go with a volume with distinct edges—determined by the urban development guidelines—which is segmented into a independent sculptural form comprised of three towers in the upper stories. A base connects the multi–storey structures for the different divisions within the institute. In the bright corridors arranged around the courtyard, researchers from the project rooms, library and guest wing come into contact with each other and can exchange ideas informally. The location and orientation of the towers is determined by the functional and spatial requirements of the divisions. In this way, the open stacks act as a sound barrier between the busy Hansaallee avenue and the interior of the block. Meanwhile, the office spaces and living rooms in the guest wing face the quiet courtyard. The researchers’ project offices were oriented southward with a view of the adjacent park and the IG Farben Building.