Office and Retail Building

Related person

Richard Meier (was created by)

Date

1990-1998

Location

Europe->Switzerland->Basel

Description

"This office building, located on the site of the former Schlotterbeck Garage, responds to the challenge of the diversity of its immediate urban conditions and the requirements of a multi-tenant program.
Conceptually, the project is based on the dialogue between existing context and programmatic demands. The cylindrical tower, which marks the intersection of Viaduktstrasse and Innere Margarethenstrasse, consists of a two-story, light-filled hall with office spaces on the upper three floors. Prime retail space on the ground floor and first basement floor open up to the main public elevation along the Viadukstrasse while commercial office space is organized around an internal courtyard.
The geometric organization of the project is systematically based on a double square with a golden section division adjusted to the site. This configuration is legible both in plan and elevation: the separation of column and partition grids, the location of the main circulation elements, and the proportions of the facade panels demonstrate this geometry." - Reference
This image was taken in 2001 by John P. Schooley, FAIA, during the 'Berlin: Building the New City' tour. This tour was planned for architects and planners so that they could see first-hand how this once-divided city emerged from the Cold War to become a leading commercial and cultural center in Europe.
Submitted by John Schooley, FAIA.

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