ARTITECTURE

Connecting Art and Work

The familiar desire to “live from art” inevitably includes work. Artists would certainly agree that, in the fine arts, nothing functions without a good idea, inspired execution, and also commitment and passion. Therefore, it’s understandable when a client strives to combine work and art in their new residence—a modern workspace in Munich’s Parkstadt Schwabing.

This ambitious concept led raumstation architekten to develop a striking rectangular building. The five-story office building houses the corporate headquarters of Refratechnik Holding, an underground parking garage, and a museum. The Alexander Tutsek Foundation, which promotes art and engineering sciences, operates the museum and curates rotating exhibitions in the new space. With a gross floor area of 7,000 square meters, 2,000 square meters are allocated to office use.

Architectural Expression and Materiality

The globally active company, primarily known for manufacturing refractory materials, emphasized that the building’s form should communicate this theme. Consequently, the compact and solid shape of 19th-century industrial architecture was referenced. The ventilated façade consists of washed precast concrete panels, where the high proportion of basalt chippings makes the rough and dark surface sparkle in the sun.

From the entrance hall through the staircase to the office units, dark terrazzo serves as the unifying element. The interior skillfully utilizes black conglomerate stone to reference the company’s fire-resistant products. The intentional simultaneity of heavy architectural effects, shiny metal, and bright, light modernity defines an inspiring atmosphere in the interiors.

Whether entering through the underground parking garage, enlivened by orange graphics, or through the entrance beneath the polished stainless steel canopy, visitors can either explore the museum with its white exhibition spaces on the ground floor—equipped with specialized lighting control—or access the office and executive floors above. Art is also present here.

In the upper floors, a free floor plan surrounding the building core with circulation, restrooms, and infrastructure allows for various spatial solutions and guarantees future redefinitions through sustainably understood flexibility.

What can architecture do for a good workplace?

Tim Sittmann-Haury: Architecture regularly defines the physical space of work. The work should be at the center, with architecture serving as a good servant. Work comes and goes, and it changes. It’s a central task of architecture to be adaptable. In this case, the façade has a representative character. The circulation and the column-free space around the core allow for individual adaptation to the needs of different users inside.

Which functions and/or spaces are most important to you in a work environment?

In this project, the collaboration between building planning and interior architecture went completely smoothly hand in hand. This greatly benefits the outcome. For the users, it’s a great advantage when the planners can address their individual concerns. Identification with the workplace is becoming increasingly important. Placing the user at the center of planning is a form of recognition for their performance.

Which functional aspects are decisive for you in the future development of workspaces?

We have experienced that a hierarchy of the importance of spaces is not helpful. Spaces for community, for encounters, and spaces for the individual, for concentration – both are absolutely necessary. Employees regularly spend entire workdays in the office. The term ‘work-life balance’ can also be understood in such a way that the workspace must achieve the qualities of a generally suitable living space.