LOI Head Office, Essen

New administration building with underground car parking

The site is on the so-called "M1 industrial estate", in the Altenessen part of Essen. Until 1994 Machinery Shed Number 1 (M1) of the former Krupp locomotive and wagon factory stood here.

Two orthogonal buildings meet at an angle of 154 degrees. With this arrangement they take up the topic of the arc-shaped street “Am Lichtbogen” in a particularly dynamic way.

Where both building components overlap is the entrance foyer, which makes the vertical circulation elements visible through its transparent facade. A screen of stainless steel mesh hung in front of the facade additionally emphasises this element and gives it a special architectural quality by day and night, aided by the specially coordinated lighting.

The building has been given an additional element of recognition by means of the emphasis of the main end of the building with a contrasting colourful frame with horizontal metal profiles for sun protection.

The building was constructed conventionally with a reinforced concrete structure which permits flexible space subdivision with its structural grid of 5.40 m x 8.10 m or 5.40 m x 5.40 m, aligned to a 1.35 meter construction grid. The flat underside of the concrete floors further contributes to this aspect so that the greatest possible adaptation to the user’s requirements is achievable.