Dreams need security.
Local loyalty writ large: the elegant new administration building considerably enhances the insurance company’s legacy site and opens up a new pedestrian connection between the railway station and the historic city centre.
Five buildings – old and new – are now linked by a transparent boulevard level forming their heart and communication centre. Even long distances between the buildings are bridged by the sleek structure.
Arising out of a deep inner-city building pit, the new structures are securely set on massive bore piles and rock. Numerous peculiarities of the construction site had to be taken into consideration, such as the protection of a historic monastery wall and old streambeds across the site.
The architect’s desire to minimise the dimensions of the supports, and security against earthquakes – very important in Aachen – are fulfilled by the construction of the new building ensemble with slender, projecting flat slabs, steel composite supports and columns, and bracing cores of high-grade reinforced concrete.
Because the planning and construction, too, must adhere to the credo of Aachen-Münchener Versicherung: Dreams need security.
© Jens Kirchner, BIN / Jens Kirchner, BIN, Jens Kirchner
