Siemens Launches Architectural Competition for New Headquarters in Munich

The planned redesign of Siemens’ world headquarters on Wittelsbacherplatz in Munich, Germany has reached a further milestone: The architectural competition has begun.

Twelve renowned national and international architecture firms have been selected by Siemens and the city of Munich to develop concepts for the new headquarters. “It’s important for us to create a modern work environment for our employees and a lively, open inner-city area for the Munich public. And naturally the new building should meet the highest standards in sustainability and energy efficiency,” commented Siemens President and CEO Peter Löscher.

Twelve architecture firms are participating in the competition, including seven German firms and two from Munich:

• Allmann Sattler Wappner Architekten, Munich/Germany
• Auer + Weber + Assoziierte, Munich/Germany
• Baumschlager Eberle, Lochau/Austria
• Henning Larsen Architects, Copenhagen/Denmark
• Hopkins Architects, London/United Kingdom
• Hascher Jehle Architektur, Berlin/Germany
• Ingenhoven architects, Düsseldorf/Germany
• JSWD Architekten, Cologne/Germany
• Léon Wohlhage Wernik Architekten, Berlin/Germany
• Rafael de la Hoz Arquitectos, Madrid/Spain
• Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects, Aarhus/Denmark
• Schneider Schumacher, Frankfurt am Main/Germany.

The existing structures on the large site bordered by Finkenstrasse, Oskar-von-Mhttp://www.siemens.comiller-Ring, Jägerstrasse and Kardinal-Döpfner-Strasse are to be largely replaced by new buildings. The recently renovated Ludwig Ferdinand Palace on Wittelsbacherplatz will remain. The new buildings will adopt the world’s highest standards for sustainability and will be equipped with innovative products from Siemens’ Environmental Portfolio, such as energy-efficient building technologies. With this project, Siemens will also contribute to the sustainable development of Munich’s inner city.

The building will offer around 1,200 employees a state-of-the-art work environment featuring open-plan offices, conference rooms and workspaces, an employee restaurant, and rooms for public events. The site will be accessible to the public and connect the city’s historic core with the neighboring museum district. An inner courtyard with garden, cafés, bistros and cultural offerings will attract visitors.

The 22-member jury will decide by the end of June 2011 which architectural design will be built. The jury includes Siemens Managing Board members Peter Löscher, Brigitte Ederer and Joe Kaeser, as well as Mayor Christian Ude, City Councilor for Urban Planning Elisabeth Merk, representatives of the city’s political factions and architectural experts.

In June 2010, Siemens announced its plan to redesign the company’s headquarters in Munich.  The initial urban planning concept paper, which is the basis for the architectural competition tenders, was approved by the Munich City Council in December. Construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2012 and be completed by the end of 2015.