PANEUM Center / Coop Himmelb(l)au

Curated by ArchDaily

Architects: Coop Himmelb(l)au
Area: 1850 m²
Year: 2017
Photographs:Markus Pillhofer
Manufacturers: Atlas Schindler, D+H, Held & Franke Baugesellschaft m.b.H., Hiller Furniture, Hirsch Malerei und Mehr GmbH, HÜBLER Kälte- und Klimatechnik Gesellschaft mbH, KRAUS Betriebsausstattung und Fördertechnik GmbH, Rosconi AG, STETORO neu GmbH, Tischlerei Hofer GmbH, Uginox, Wiehag
Planning: Coop Himmelb(l)au, Wolf D. Prix & Partner ZT GmbH

Text description provided by the architects. The Customer Information Centre and Event Forum PANEUM – Wunderkammer des Brotes - for the company Backaldrin in Asten consists of two elements: a box-shaped plinth building with foyer and event rooms plus the “Wunderkammer des Brotes”, a two-story freeform exhibition area floating on top. The chosen materials augment the contrast of these two elements: The square base building shows a cast-in-place concrete façade while the rounded wood structure of the museum is clad with stainless steel shingles.

The base building houses the event rooms and the adjoining rooms. This area can be used for a variety of events as presentations, receptions or workshops for up to 120 visitors. The design of the exhibition area is based on the idea of a cabinet of curiosities, a concept for collections originating in the Baroque period. This concept is especially appropriate for the unusual and small-scale objects in the collection related to the topic “bread” which is presented in the exhibition area.

The center of the “Wunderkammer des Brotes” is formed by a circular atrium, in which selected items from the collection are individually suspended from the top, as in a differentiated crystal chandelier. The atrium is enclosed by a spiral stair where visitors can look at the exhibited items from various perspectives. The stair provides access to the two exhibition levels, where the objects are presented with the help of walls, tables, and cabinets that are integrated into the architecture. Additionally, all floors can be accessed by elevators. The atrium is naturally illuminated from above while the exhibition spaces have artificial light.

The self-supporting wood shell of the exhibition structure is visible in the interior. It is composed of layered circles of cross-laminated timber. This method of construction enables the realization of the free form. The high degree of prefabrication with 3D CNC technology (Computerized Numerical Control) leads to a short building time. Leaving the precisely shaped wood timber exposed on the interior, with just a layer of paint, made additional interior finishes unnecessary.