The project aimed to revitalize the disused railway area between Haidenauplatz and Leuchtenbergring and the design of the new HypoVereinsbank headquarters. It had the ambition to become an landmark for the community expected to enliven it every day.

The district Haidenauplatz was envisioned as a new icon in the field of livable and climate-friendly cities. The proposed building of the HQ2 of the HypoVereinsbank aspired to be a sustainable landmark in Munich’s city silhouette, uniting healthy working environments, climate-friendly construction, the sponge city principle, biodiversity, energy efficiency, and innovative building technology in a pleasing aesthetic manner.

The core of the urban design where the building rises is an integrative sequence of public spaces consisting of Haidenauplatz, Haidenaupromenade and Leuchtenbergplatz. The urban spaces blend seamlessly into their surroundings and ensure efficient, low-mobility connections for pedestrians and cyclists.

The shape and dimensions of the proposal have been carefully studied in order to scrupulously respond to the given program and to optimize the internal relationships between the different parts.

The building’s stepped profile responds to the different realities of the context on the west side, with the new green square, and the east side, facing one of Munich’s main transport hubs, seen by thousands of citizens every day. The complex geometry of the west edge creates a convincing soft transition between the new square and the spacious double-height interior on the north-east side. The expansive edge towards the plaza – which fully satisfies the brief’s requirements for unobstructed views along the north-west axis – helps increase the visibility of the new headquarters from the plaza.

The gently sloping profile of the new plaza, articulated by the semi-circular ‘waves’ emanating from the ground floor, guides the pedestrians flows to and from the new bridge over the rail tracks, creating a quieter area around the south-west edge of the building.

The ground floor of the building combines a great feeling of openness to the public and beautiful views of the new square, balancing a clear management of the flows of the different groups of people who visit and work in the building on a daily basis with the need to accommodate a number of service and supporting areas.