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2007–2013

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

© Marcus Ebener
© Marcus Ebener

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.

Projektdetails

Martin-Elsaesser badge to exemplary Architecture from BDA Frankfurt 2018

Competition 1st Prize, 2006
Client Max-Planck-Gesellschaft
Planning started 2007
Completion 2013
Total floor area 34,800 sqm

Competition
Team: Per Köngeter, Johannes Löbbert, Justus Ettemeyer

Planning and Realization
Project Coordination: Hanns Ziegler
Project Management: Dirk Wischnewski
Team: Marion Rehn, Jens Achtermann, Michael Zeeh, Anke Hafner, Per Köngeter, Dirk Brändlin, Maria Josa Soler, Alexander Böhme, Carina Kinzel, Tobias Steib, Sabine Zoske, Axel Michaelis, Marcus Ebener, Ralf Grubert, Claus Thiemann, Manuela Jochheim
Construction Management Coordination: Dirk Richter

Landscape architecture: Levin Monsigny Landschaftsarchitekten, Berlin
Local Construction Management: BAL Bauplanungs und Steuerungs GmbH, Berlin
Photography
Marcus Ebener
Discourse