Austrian architectural office AllesWirdGut were recently commissioned to build the corporate headquarters of the international WAZ Media Group at their corporate home base in Essen, Germany. With a gross floor area of 36,000 sqm, the architects create a landmark and sustainable business model as shown in their future-oriented concept. More images and architects’ description after the break.
The design is comprised of several volumes where A longitudinal volume provides the backbone of the urban development site called “Grüne Mitte” (“Green Middle”). Three annexes extending from it point like fingers to the outdoor spaces of the adjacent residential estates. A variation of different spaces is offered both in the interior and the outdoor areas. The endpoint of the urban design ensemble is the WAZ Media Tower.
The premises comprise public spaces (lobbies, a restaurant, conference areas and lounging zones), areas for business use including editorial departments and offices, a children’s day care center, and training rooms. The design concept is based on colors: black, silver, and white, as an allusion to the printing process (black ink, silver dies, white paper).
The entire outdoor areas are planned to have uniform flooring of large terrazzo-concrete pavement tiles, which emphasize the urban character of the ensemble. Dense rows of trees are interspersed with lawn strips and court-like green areas. A generous water plaza connects the two public-realm spaces “Grüne Mitte” and “Berliner Platz”.
The jury statement says that “The proposal is informed by a clear and confident urban-design attitude, as is adequate for the new WAZ building as part of the cityscape. The total configuration provides the media hose with a landmark and identity-forming new company address.”
