OMA suspends see-through trapezoidal office over a plaza in munich

oma competition design for UniCredit HQ in Munich

The UniCredit HQ Munich, a competition design by OMA, seeks to rejuvenate a bland area next to a train station in Munich. The project addresses the need to restore vitality to the city and counter the ‘loss of soul’ issue increasingly affecting the German city, as described by the architects.

With an elevated structure, the new headquarter aims to extend accessible space into its interior, while its transparent silhouette allows for seamless integration with the surrounding environment. The building serves as a connection point between the Leuchtenbergring S-Bahn stop and the upcoming central neighborhood garden, facilitated by a pedestrian S-Bahn crossing. This connection leads to a central plaza designed as an inviting ‘urban living room’ for the local community. Cleverly, the design utilizes the space beneath the plaza to house facilities like the main restaurant, gastronomy areas, the bank’s meeting center, and logistical functions with easy ground-level access. In doing so, the structure effortlessly adds public space to the city without compromising its own requirements.

all images by OMA

An Office Above the Plaza

OMA-designed UniCredit’s office is situated above the plaza, housed within a trapezoid-shaped volume elevated 22 meters above ground level. While the design pays homage to traditional Munich rooftops, the geometry of the volume is primarily influenced by environmental factors. The inclination of the facades facilitates improved air movement in the vicinity, while the three triangular cuts within the trapezoid structure allow ample natural light to permeate deep into the building, creating an ideal indoor climate for both work and leisure spaces.

The inclination of the volume also maximizes the utilization of high-performance PV cells integrated into the facade, contributing to energy efficiency. The building by OMA (see more here) is enveloped by a unitized facade system comprising closed cavity units with PV-embedded glass. This innovative system generates 50 to 70% of the building’s annual energy demand and significantly reduces internal solar heat gain.

the volume hovers 22 meters above the ground