german architecture firm knack studio has transformed the former ‘forum der technik’ in munich into a concert and events venue with a restaurant and a dance music club. the task of the architect is to achieve the vision of a unique spatial and acoustic experience together with the developer. as a result, an overall spatial concept that fulfills both high artistic and aural standards was generated.

knack studio transforms former museum into state-of-the-art acoustic resto-club in munich
simon vorhammer developed an algorithm for spreading more than 10.000 ‘valleys’ and ‘ridges’ over a length of 25m

 

 

in collaboration with the acoustics expert, knack studio has developed modular dance niches that fit in with the existing column grid while also offering spatial division. flutter echoes and propagation delays triggered by parallel surfaces are avoided through tilting the side and back walls. additionally, the personalized wall and ceiling elements, which were optimized specifically for electronic music, contribute a great deal to the acoustic quality of the venue.

knack studio transforms former museum into state-of-the-art acoustic resto-club in munich
the 600 sqm club is organized into two dance floors of different sizes and a bar area

 

 

a particular focus lies on the geometry of the tilted back walls. while the front edges follow a straight triangular pattern, the single elements of the grid are developed into concavely curved pockets of different depths. this allows for the sound to refract and disperse in all directions when it hits the surfaces. the implementation of the product ‘baubuche’ has proven to be highly adequate. in addition to the ‘warm’ sound of timber, the high bulk density of the beech has a positive impact on the acoustics as well. in this context it was essential to find a structurally resistant material so that the rather thin crosspieces do not break off.

knack studio transforms former museum into state-of-the-art acoustic resto-club in munich
the entrance area through the club

 

 

a parametric 3D model conceived by the architects has allowed for various aesthetic and performance tests and evaluations while also facilitating the decision making and optimization process. the other surfaces inside the club are characterized by a special perforation with sound absorbing properties for various frequencies and thus help lowering the reverberations. the parts of the cladding close to the floor and in front of the pillars, as well as the cavities within the walls are developed as low-frequency resonators in order to avoid the ‘hum’ of the bass. 

knack studio transforms former museum into state-of-the-art acoustic resto-club in munich
a technico-functional aesthetic of timber and steel dominates the 35m long and 8m wide dance floor

 

 

the lighting concept has been achieved by rather unusual means. the light effects are greatly comprised of classical theatre, stage and discoteque elements from the 70’s and 80’s which have been deliberately placed in the foreground. however, both their aesthetic and the warm light tones allow them to integrate into the creative concept. the second dance floor, ‘plus’, is acoustically isolated and speaks its own design language. without a noticeable beginning or an end, a continuous river of ‘recessions’ is drawn over the walls. this recessing landscape is brought to life by the light that changes to the sound of music.

knack studio transforms former museum into state-of-the-art acoustic resto-club in munich
a particular focus lies on the geometry of the tilted back walls

 

 

one of the biggest challenges during the short planning period of four months was to develop an efficient process for the fabrication and coordination of the project implementation. due to the high level of complexity of the building elements, only few plans have been drawn. a digital 3D model has proven to be essential in the decision making process with the clients from the very beginning. a highly advanced phase was reached by working together with the planning specialists and executing companies so that all the necessary files and documents for the CNC fabrication could be exported straight from the 3D model.

knack studio transforms former museum into state-of-the-art acoustic resto-club in munich
a parametric 3D model has allowed for various aesthetic and performance tests

knack studio transforms former museum into state-of-the-art acoustic resto-club in munich
the other surfaces inside the club are characterized by a special perforation with sound absorbing properties for various frequencies and thus help lowering the reverberations

knack studio transforms former museum into state-of-the-art acoustic resto-club in munich
The light effects are greatly comprised of classical theatre, stage and discotheque elements from the 70’s and 80’s

knack studio transforms former museum into state-of-the-art acoustic resto-club in munich
the task of the architects is to achieve the vision of a unique spatial and acoustic experience

knack studio transforms former museum into state-of-the-art acoustic resto-club in munich
the recessing landscape is brought to life by the light that changes to the sound of music

knack studio transforms former museum into state-of-the-art acoustic resto-club in munich
the second dance floor is acoustically isolated and speaks its own design language

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: lynn chaya | designboom