Glass
Ener[gie]nger - peterlorenzateliers
Hidden in a modest envelope with sustainable green agendas, the Ener[gie]nger by Austria-based architectural firm peterlorenzateliers, delineates a ‘greener’ showroom experience. Reenergises the possibility of a greener showroom experience.
Conceived by Austria-based peterlorenzateliers, the Ener[gie]nger, the showroom for Gienger, —the well established domestic engineering wholesale business, is a curvaceous monolith of metallic gray distinguished by huge luminescent glass. Merging the words ‘energie’ (Energy) and the name Gienger, the architects have coined the names to align with the green motives interstitial in their design. Reinstating the concept submitted as a part of the competition proposal in November 2006, the architects aligned the building form to that of an “energy spiral”. The character of the ideation was translated as a ‘band-spiral’ that created a tunnel-like interface, whose extents defined the form of the showroom.
Angular and vaguely tectonic, the skin of the structure is composed of solar-thermal and photovoltaic panels, metal and glass. The harsh geometry is blurred by a draped walls slanting in between portraying an engagement with the sunlight and ventilation. The spirals edge out by means of a wide open projecting roof at the entrance. The organics, arranged into a symmetrical relationship, accentuates the connection between the two ends- one marks the entrance while the other is put to use for the cash and carry wholesale store. Overall, the abstraction of the network of spirals is knit together to provide a seamless transition in the interiors. The interiors operate within the contextual imagery. Language is smooth and singular in the interiors, reflecting a formal manner. A roofed lobby-area greets the visitors; “a 'right of way' for customers”. The contained spaces evocatively adapt in its functionality to the exterior inclination. The nexus of the intent is coded to be an “educational energy trail”- an exhibition of current installations and equipment belonging to the energy-saving sector. At an ideological level, the rationale of the “trail” is an inventive one. As the architects have put it,” it plays an important role in the understanding of technology, which in turn means that such technologies can actually put to use”. The remaining functionality retreats as bathrooms on existing display. The exhibition areas draw a graphic geometry of planes and levels, mediating an inter-connectivity through ramps. The various levels funnel a sense of play and experience in the often spare architecture of displays.
The angled language established, the building is threaded through a system of energy management initiatives. The emblematic image of the project lies in the orientation of the facade and the interiors, but the sustainable agendas were the generative aspects of the project. The main endorsement is that of the modernist environment-friendly tenet- one that is all about solar and photovoltaic panels. Rather than masking a band of solar-thermal and photo-voltaic panels, the designers have woven it in as an exemplary feature in the facade. A splayed arrangement of 250sqm solar panel area is used for heating and cooling of the structure. Au courant technologies like captialising on the available resources, renewable raw materials, and regenerative energy raise the profile of the educational energy trail. The internal environment is tempered through efficient use of Ground well water and ventilation systems with heat recovery. Both electro and thermal energy have been rallied to fuel the combined heat and power plant. This use of narrative, even if in a fairly abstract sense, is important in contextualising a project, and establishing a sense of adherence to ‘green’ building.
The crisp, pleated walls fold over themselves, lending the building a depth that filters in more than occasional sunlight. The movement in the plan subtly adjusts to detailed appropriateness, embracing an unconventional showroom format-one that is inconsistent, vibrant and rich. The graphic language of the overall structure is closely aligned with formal manipulations of volumes of play, instilling the project with a large coherent personality. Ambitious in its attempt to reinstate the nature of public architecture and to provide a level of amenity in the experiential aspect, it is an attempt to engender the sense of ‘new’.
Photographs: courtesy Thommy Lösch, Roland Weegen, peterlorenzateliers.
Project: | Ener[gie]nger |
|---|---|
Location: | Munich |
Architect: | peterlorenzateliers |
Design team: | Staff – Competition: Giulia Decorti, Peggy Roider; Model: Matthias Hirschhuber, Johannes Schuster; Staff – Realisation: Wolfgang |
Client: | Gienger München KG |
Project Area: | 3.200sqm |
Civil Contractors: | Dribal, DI Alfred Brunnsteiner, Natters |
Initiation of Project: | 2007 |
Completion of project: | 2009 |
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