Baiersbronn has a long architectural tradition that has been developed and honed over centuries. Wooden constructions made from local wood, the shading device from the ‘Baiersbronn shingle’, the distinct volume of the buildings and a simple facade structure with shutters: These traditional buildings are still a distinctive feature of the local landscape. The new municipal works building in Baiersbronn will be a flagship project and a shining example that demonstrates this potential.
The design therefore draws all its design principles from this tradition and translates them into a contemporary design for a commercial building. This applies to all standards, from urban planning and building volume to material selection and construction in exclusively domestic wood. The new municipal works building therefore creates local added value along with an identity, both for the employees and the location itself.
The building is divided into a three-story entrance hall with an administrative and visitor area and an unheated, single-story low-rise building, which mainly houses the garages and the exterior warehouses. The administrative building facing the road is the address for the entire area and provides a distinct urban counterpart to the hydroelectric power station, which is located across the street.
The power and water supply in the municipality is managed by the municipal utilities, and so the building should thus set an example regarding these issues. The building first takes advantage of all the architectural possibilities to establish efficiency at the basic level: The wall/window ratio is balanced, and all window surfaces can be covered from the outside. The shape of the building is compact with a good A/V ratio. Sash openings allow for night cooling, eliminating unnecessary building technology by cooling the building in a simple way. The heated part of the building is planned in line with this approach, reducing the area to be heated to a minimum. The highly insulated facade also reduces the energy required for heating.