New architectural symbol of the BMW brand is being devised at an important location in the city of Munich, between the BMW Building and the Olympic Complex, named The BMW Welt or ‘World’ in english. The BMW Group selected Coop Himmelblau with their project in an international competition back in year 2001 for the new BMW Event and Delivery Center. For Prof. Wolf D. Prix and Helmut Swiczinsky it’s a dream and at the same time a challenge to have their own vision realized in the neighborhood of two architectural icons of the 20th Century. Under Bavarian skies, the project described as an impressive 21^st century landscape of clouds.

The Austrian firm’s design was chosen because for its ability to create a unified composition as much as its ability to convey innovation through its aesthetics. Here architecture is seen as corporate image making, a masterpiece which will allow us to experience the whole world of BMW. The BMW Welt presents BMW in all dimensions, linking tradition and innovation, emotion and precision, dynamism and aesthetics, exclusivity and openness, pioneering bond with the Olympic and the BMW tower development as a whole. Here the company enters into dialogue with its customers, friends, neighbors and visitors.

Coop Himmelblau design is convincingly expresses in architectural form the objective of dealing with the tasks of the complex proactively and creatively. In the words of Professor Wolf Prix is, “an architecture featuring not only open spaces but also open minds.” This is to know the ideas from which the BMW Welt project sourced. A place used as a factory outlet, also to organize events and conventions. It will be the venue for meetings between individuals in aesthetic surroundings, a delivery centre for BMW automobiles with personal customer support as well as the fascinating experience of the BMW brand and a centre for cultural events.

Prof. Wolf D. Prix described the design as a game of chess at a digital level. Thanks to the advantages of computer-aided design (CAD) implementation, it is now possible to build difficult architectural structures such BMW Welt. The main element of Coop Himmelblau design proposal is a large, permeable hall with a sculptural roof and the double cone which emerges in relation to the existing headquarters complex. It features four elements: Landscape, Cloud, Double Cone and Spiral Ramp. Those four act to unite the four general parts of the program: Reception, Forum (art, science, and cultural auditorium), Brand World (the “vision and fascination of BMW”) and Delivery Area.

The building complex, measured 130m broad, 180m wide and 28m high, doesn’t shows spontaneously neither to the technically experienced, nor to the visually talented visitors. In fact, 73,000 sq m, roughly 60% of the gross total area, are under the road level. The hall is a marketplace for diverse and changing uses and an unmistakable sign for the BMW Group. The interior topography creates differentiated spatial densities and fluid subspaces. The center of the building is the “Premiere” vehicle delivery area. Floating above this space are the customer lounges which allow views through the event space and toward the BMW headquarters.

The BMW Welt double cone can be considered as its final splendor. This Coop Himmelblau masterpiece in glass and steel supports the cloud-like 16,000 square meters roof construction, which truly seems to fly above BMW Welt. Its futuristic appearance comes from the axis inclination and the torsion of the lateral surfaces. With the proper lighting, it almost looks like an asymmetric clepsydra. At 28 m high and with a maximum diameter of 45 m, it weighs in at a strapping total of 720 tons. The lateral surface has a structure comprising of triangular spaces made by steel profiles, differing one from another.

The lower cone is covered with tempered glass with 8 mm thickness, 16 mm interstice and with semi-tempered glass. The upper cone glass sheets have the same dimensions; anyway, security laminated glasses have been used here, obliging to the regulations in the field. A protection from solar beams made of drilled stainless steel panes, have been installed in front of some glass walls of the double cone, at a distance of 600 mm. They complete the unglazed triangular spaces. The remaining part of the glass wall making the facade, is either directly framed on the beams, or hinged to the clamps. This way, external glass surfaces have low levels of thermal dispersion and keep temperatures within widely acceptable levels.

Some of the key features are the “Technology Atelier”, where visitors can enjoy a preview of the automotive future, with insights on coming technical developments, like low environmental impact engines (i.e. hydrogen or electrical). Then there’s “Junior Campus”, a two storey area of the BMW-Welt, conceived with particular regards of children and young, where it is possible to perform car simulation. Coop Himmelblau makes technology becomes experience and knowledge is spread around, even providing advices to address future professional choices in unique architectural language. Another considerable part of this center is the “BMW-World Forum”, which is a multipurpose area functioned to events, from the hall meant for conferences or new products presentations to exclusive banquets. Maximum flexibility and adaptability is the point. This area is encircled with many food and beverages stands with either inner or outer terraces, able to satisfy any favor, from a quick bite at a snack bar to the relaxed dinner at a restaurant.

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