Administration Building in Darmstadt

Conceived as a two-storey pavilion set in a park, the headquarters of the German athletics federation is based on a simple square plan and has a uniform design on all faces. The various departments are grouped about a common central area. Movable partitions facilitate flexible links between the foyer and conference rooms. The façade is completely transparent, in compliance with the requirements of the brief. Fixed and sliding external timber elements filter the sunlight and establish a relationship between inside and outside. Horizontal metal gratings provide a fixed form of sunscreening and also serve as escape and cleaning balconies. The entrance is marked by a projecting, cubic glass porch with fluorescent lighting at the base.