Office and retail building Sonnenstraße, Munich

The defining architectural features of this design are transparency, structural clarity, a place of prominence within the urban context and a symbiotic relationship between the office units and the exterior space. This roughly 2,400-square-meter site is located in downtown Munich in a traditional neighborhood characterized by the typical modernist architecture of the post-war period. With its unique C-shape, the building encircles a large interior courtyard and takes maximum advantage of the natural light all year round. We developed our climatic concept by tracking the movement of the sun and analyzing the precise amount of light that penetrates the façade. The use of solar shading and glare protection elements as well as cooling systems ensure that the interior spaces are shaded and cool during the summer months.

The façade is defined by a series of alternating round and square columns; the former reminiscent of ancient colonnades and the latter made of solid concrete. An outer shell lined with folding glass doors is used for ventilation, transforming the main façade into a perpetually evolving image as these “wings” open and close to varying degrees. The materials we used further accentuate this multi-layered effect: brass-colored metal slats contrast with the light grey concrete of the outer shell.

The new building has an open and inviting appearance. The ground floor offers space for retail and hospitality units in a variety of flexible floorplans. In keeping with the attractive location, the upper floors offer bright, generous office spaces, which can be adapted for various uses and accommodate traditional as well as innovative workplace designs. Our multifunctional floorplans work with a wide range of office models, from “hot-desk” spaces to fixed workstations as well as business club, cellular and open plan offices – or any combination thereof.