INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA 2007 2010
The historic center of Innsbruck along Maria-Theresien-Straße is characterized by a picturesque town structure that has grown since medieval times. The new Kaufhaus Tyrol, as a large inner-city building, integrates itself into the existing context with sensitivity and power while still respecting it. The new building occupies the space of the former Kaufhaus Tyrol and stretches from Maria-Theresien-Straße through the interior of the block with its central atrium through to Erlerstraße.
The long, stretched front of the new building through three façade sections, which are at a slight incline to each other, continues the historic structure of Maria-Theresien-Straße, which has grown irregularly throughout time.
The main entrance, situated in the center, is subtly emphasized by the central part of the building being higher and faces the Old Town and the pedestrian zone. Colonnade-like façade columns form the main architectural characteristic of the building. Through their deep reveals, the columns continue the shadow play of the neighboring buildings with their protruding bays and projections. The façade is made of pre-cast concrete elements with natural stone aggregates, which have polished and sandblasted surfaces. Room-height window openings distributed over all floors mediate between the new Kaufhaus Tyrol and the historic environment.
The neighboring Schindlerhaus, dating back to the sixteenth century, has been frequently modified over the course of the centuries. After careful restoration work of the façade and the addition of a further floor, it provides space for offices and meeting rooms and for the former Schindler Café. The east façade of the Kaufhaus Tyrol along the Erlerstraße picks up the theme of the main façade with its room-height window openings. Because of the overall spatial concept and bearing concept, which already existed prior to the design, it is built as non-bearing post and beam construction in anodized, brushed aluminum. An additional entrance on this side allows shoppers to walk all the way through the building from the Maria-Theresien-Straße to Erlerstraße. A five-story, naturally lit atrium provides central access to all the floors, offering glimpses of other departments and enabling orientation when on a shopping trip.
The historic centre of Innsbruck along Maria-Theresien-Straße is characterised by a picturesque town structure, which has grown since mediaeval times. The new Kaufhaus Tyrol as a large inner-city building integrates itself into the existing context with sensitivity and power while still respecting it. The building occupies the space of the former Kaufhaus Tyrol and stretches from Maria-Theresien-Straße through the interior of the block with its central atrium through to Erlerstraße.
Structure is given to the long, stretched front of the new building through three façade sections which are at a slight incline to each other, continuing the historic structure of Maria-Theresien-Straße, which has grown irregularly throughout time. The main entrance, situated in the centre, is subtly emphasised by the central part of the building being higher and faces the Old Town and the pedestrian zone.
Colonnade-like façade columns with a large cross section form the main architectural characteristic of the building. Through their deep reveals the columns continue the shadow play of the neighbouring buildings with their protruding bays and projections. The façade is made of pre-cast concrete elements with natural stone aggregates, which have polished and sandblasted surfaces. Room-height window openings distributed over all floors mediate between the new Kaufhaus Tyrol and the historic environment.
The neighbouring Schindlerhaus, dating back to the sixteenth century, has been frequently modified over the course of the centuries. After careful restoration work of the façade and the addition of a further floor it provides space for offices and meeting rooms and for the former Schindler Café.
The east façade of the Kaufhaus Tyrol along the Erlerstraße picks up the theme of the main façade with its room-height window openings. Because of the overall spatial concept and bearing concept, which already existed prior to the design, it is built as non-bearing post and beam construction in anodised, brushed aluminium. An additional entrance on this side allows shoppers to walk all the way through the building from the Maria-Theresien-Straße to Erlerstraße. A five-storey, naturally lit atrium provides a central access to all the floors, offering glimpses of other departments and enabling orientation when on a shopping trip.
Date:2007-2010
Gross floor area:58,000 m²
Client:Signa Holding GmbH, Innsbruck
Architect:David Chipperfield Architects, Berlin, in collaboration with Dieter Mathoi Architekten