ADAC Headquarters in Munich
The ADAC, Europe’s largest automobile club, hosted a competition in 2004 for its new headquarters; Sauerbruch Hutton’s project convinced the jury with its urban design, as well as its economical and sustainable office structure. The client and the architects parted ways in 2009 due to irreconcilable differences. Nevertheless, the original design was, to a large degree, still realized. Sauerbruch Hutton’s signature is clearly recognizable, particularly in the 87-meter-high tower, which is embellished with 22 different colours: the particular shade of yellow associated with ADAC, is, of course, predominant. Because the tower – which appears to balance on the curved, free-form plinth – is sited next to the train tracks, it does not infringe upon neighbouring buildings. The facade consists of 1152 different facade modules, arranged in varying colour combinations. Each of the storey-high modules employes double glazing and, on the outermost surface, a baffle plate. Situated between the two are the solar protection and a self-cleaning, mechanical air-intake element that was developed in cooperation with the manufacturer (see page 808). The colour scheme provides insight into the energy concept: the silk-screened segments of the baffle plate give away the position of the intake element, and the colourful sheet metal sheathing the inner layer conceals the solar protection louvers. There are also subtle colour variations on the ground storey, and an abstracted floor plan of the plinth appears on the glass panes. In the next 4 storeys, the colour of the posts in the facade change from grey to white. Not only the facades enter the realm of fantasy, but the organisation of the floor plans is out of the ordinary as well. The generously scaled hall – which is also accessible to the general public – is at the heart of the building.
