BIG's proposal for the new Axel Springer HQ in Berlin

As we mentioned earlier today, BIG was revealed as one of three finalists — along with OMA and Buro-OS — for the new Axel Springer Media Campus in Berlin.

The new Axel Springer headquarters will be located at one of the last remaining plots of the historic former site of the Berlin Wall.

All winning entries will be publicly displayed in the "A call for ideas - the new Axel Springer Campus in Berlin" exhibition at the German Architecture Centre (DAZ) in Berlin from Dec. 17 - Dec. 22.

Project description:

"The existing Axel Springer buildings embody two well-known typologies that have dominated Berlin’s urban development of the last half century. An understated perimeter block of office buildings that face into their own interior courtyards that was complemented by a tower standing out in its urban context creating a public square at its base.

BIG conceptually unites the qualities of these two building typologies – the intimate nature of the courtyard and the efficiency of the tower - to create a new identity for the Media Campus."    

"Bjarke Ingels: 'We propose a building that creates the optimum conditions for encounters and exchanges between the various groups of users. Like a three dimensional neighborhood, the building will bring together digital and traditional media brands, start-ups and established firms, entrepreneurs and employees, and unite the activities of Axel Springer Campus with the public life of the city.'"   

"The Campus’ main feature is an upward spiral of terraces and stairs that move from the ground floor to connect the courtyard to the sky. The street trees continue in planters on the terraces, providing access to green spaces from all floors in the building and magnificent views for both the staff as well as the public."

"The façades of the public and semi-public areas are kept as transparent as possible to provide maximum visual connection from the interior to the surrounding city."  

"BIG’s organization of office programs will stimulate interdisciplinary exchanges across professional boundaries. A free and flexible floor plan allows for the gathering of people from multiple fields as well as serendipitous meetings." 

"Like a diagonal short-circuit in the horizontal layers of offices, the spiraling interior becomes a literal landscape for work and exchange of ideas. All floors are connected to the courtyard, terraces or roof garden so that every workspace is steps away from ample daylight and fresh air – natural ingredients for a creative workspace."

Project details:

Name: AXEL SPRINGER CAMPUS
Program: Commercial
Status: In Progress
Size in m2: 69,000
Project type:
Competition Client: Axel Springer AG

BIG credit list

Partners-in-Charge: Bjarke Ingels, Andreas Klok Pedersen 
Associate-in-Charge: André Schmidt 
Project Leader: Lucian Racovitan, Hanna Johansson 
Project Team: Aaron Hales, Alek Wadas, Alexander Ejsing, Alexandra Lukianova, Horia Spirescu, Jonathan Quaade, Junjie Yan, Kasper Reimar Hansen, Laura Wätte, Martin Maria Beck, Mathias Bank, Mikolai Adamus, Nicolas Milot, Oscar Wilhelm Abrahamsson    

Collaborators:
Engineering: Bollinger+Grohmann 
Landscape: Man Made Land  + Topotek 1 
Lighting: Kardoff Ingenieure 
Cost consultant: Wenzel + Wenzel

All images courtesy of BIG.
Click the thumbnails below to see diagrams and models.