Aug 12

Auditorium in Bavaria, by archimedialab

An unassuming building, with as much to do with context as form. Archimedialab’s new auditorium for power company Zweckverband Müllverwertung Schwandorf is in the grounds of a working power station.

A key element of the scheme is the earth wall which is 450m long and up to 13m high,the central part of a noise protection wall with a 45 degree incline simultaneously constitutes the new administration building, for over 140 m in length.

Natural materials such as the wooden terrace contrast with the industrial context. The brief was to design a new administration building, reorganize the existing occupied power station compound and create a new noise protection barrier.

The light timber structure of the glue-laminated shell remains exposed; with the rhomboid interstitial curvilinear spaces filled with acoustic panels stained dark purple.

The purple colour reigns against a dull sky and tarmac. The auditorium and associated visitor center unfolds from this landscape and opens up towards the adjacent power station compound, without overpowering the landscape or neighbouring buildings.

Similary, interior treatments have also been starkly bold. The built in furniture elements are not colour-shy in stained MDF, wooden oak floors, and brightly painted magnesia-bonded panels for acoustic absorption on walls and door elements.