The topography of the Steinäcker competition site is the starting point for our concept. The hilltop-like rise of the land inspired us to derive an architectural dramatization that generates a distinctive variation of building heights with an identity-conferring silhouette. The motto is: »expanding the landscape.« This concept enables optimal integration into the surrounding landscape while taking into account the stipulations of the binding land-use plan. The project’s sensitive embedding within the local recreation area contributes to the social acceptance of the IPAI and its attractiveness to the public. The IPAI’s impact from afar is attained through a group of tall buildings that rise above the general building height profile and house special uses such as the communications center and startups.
The individual buildings are flexible and of varying sizes. Thus, they adhere to the »always beta« principle that is essential to the IPAI. The constellation of buildings generates diverse open spaces that correspond in scale to car-free urbanity. A large central open space is complemented by several smaller public plazas that ensure orientation in the area as a whole. Each building has its address on one of these squares. The central plaza with the communications center is an open space for the experimentation and testing of AI research and its products. It is therefore equipped with a grid of infrastructure points. The central vertical accent of the communications center, which is also partly open to the public, is located here, as are extensive dining facilities beneath bulges in the surface of the plaza.
Supply and disposal services for the IPAI will utilize an underground ring system that originates at the smart mobility hub. Above ground, an automated minibus system is planned. A public »trail« is also envisaged across the rooftops, which are planted with intensive vegetation and are seen as a continuation of the landscape with its fertile soils. The energy supply is efficiently supported by extensive photovoltaic arrays that are to be installed especially on the high points and the smart mobility hub.
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