Part of Allianz AG’s main building in Munich, located next to the English Gardens, was to be redesigned and reconfigured as a multifunctional conference center featuring a large-scale assembly hall for 300 people. Deriving from the idea of the open exchange of visions and ideas in a “convertible space”, the auditorium forms the heart of the building. A metaphorical concept enables to sense the three values of openness, collaboration and pride in all details of the conference center. The total ensemble combines timeless modernity with specific design and a sequence of diverse and unexpected spaces. The atrium forms the center of the entire building. It serves both as lobby and point of access to the levels distributed over four floors.
One stipulation of the competition was that visitors be able to sense the three values of openness, collaboration and pride immediately upon entering the building — no easy task for a structure that is situated mostly underground and is accessible through an existing adjacent building due to its location in the English Gardens. The guiding principle of the auditorium is derived from the idea of the open exchange of visions and ideas, the cosmos of the global Allianz Community. Designed as a network, it is a symbol for a growing and mutually inspiring communication. A elaborate lighting control system allows the room to be illuminated in a diverse range of lighting moods. Along with the rows of seats that can be partially lowered, the hall can be transformed into a variety of spaces: the “convertible space” functions as an auditorium, conference hall, seating hall, event hall, assembly location and performance hall all-in-one.