BMW Welt

Munich | Germany

Business Area

Exteriors

Brand

Gartner

StatusCompleted

ArchitectCOOP HIMMELB(L)AU

The Concept

BMW Welt, a futuristic delivery and experience centre, is built at the location of the BMW Headquarters in Munich, between the BMW highrise building and the Olympic ground. The daring construction, approximate sizes: 180 m long (591 ft), up to 130 m (426 ft) wide and 28 m (92 ft) high, is situated on an area of approximately 25,000 sqm (269,000 sq ft). One of the most impressive components of BMW Welt is the double cone. This architectural masterpiece made of steel and glass supports the 16,000 sqm (172,200 sq ft) cloud-shaped roof construction and gives it a floating appearance.

The double cone is one of the main supporting structures of BMW Welt. The lower diameter is approximately 35 m (115 ft). The construction tapers towards the throat in a height of approx. 12 m (39 ft) to a diameter of approx. 18 m (59 ft) and extends again to a diameter of approx. 44 m (144 ft) towards the top, where it ends in a continuous ring-shaped support before it connects to the standard roof construction. The area comprises approximately 2,839 sqm (30,600 sq ft). The construction consists of triangular units, following the geometry required by the Architects. The side length of the glass units is approx. 5.5 m (18 ft).

The Project

Scope of Work

Steel & Glass double cone (approx 3,000 sqm/32,300 sq ft), main façade (approx 5,500 sqm/59,200 sq ft), horizontal, vertical and diagonal sections, stainless steel panels and glazed roofs.

Façade scheme.

Triangular units vertical section.

The main façade is approximately 5,500 sqm (59,200 sq ft), designed as an INTEGRATED FAÇADE, System GARTNER^® and divided in five wall façades. The curtain wall makes contact ground and is fixed slidingly on top of the curved roof construction.

The entrance building on the North and South/East side is made of a structural steel construction with an external stainless steel sheet cladding. The North building is used as fresh air building and has been cladded partially with perforated panels. The door systems, each protected by a canopy, are situated in the area of the approximately 15 m (49 ft) high entrance buildings.

The 3,100 sqm (33,369 sq ft) roof faces are developed in the external area (approx. 2,300 sqm/24,800 sq ft) as ventilated insulated construction with a cladding made of glass pearl blast perforated stainless steel panels (3 mm). Approximately 800 sqm (8,600 sq ft) of the areas are made of smooth sheet in the internal region. 3,000 sqm (32,300 sq ft) of the whole cladding is polygonal respectively straight. A curved cladding is required in area of the double cone. The lounge façade forms the room-side closure from the lounge to the hall and to the outside. It is designed as a stick-system façade with a distance of approx. 2,900 mm between the mullions and with a transom grid dimesion of 1,250 mm.

The roof is closed to the bottom by 15,000 sqm (161,500 sq ft) perforated stainless steel panels. They are 2 mm thick and have the same perforation and finish as the front façade. The soffit builds the bottom horizontal closure of the free forming area.