Client
Stadtwerke München GmbH, Munich

Architecture (Competition design GRP variant)
OX2 Architects, Aachen

Architecture (Steel construction variant)
prpm architects + urban planners Ltd, Munich

Photos
DAY & LIGHT

Completion
2009

Project Team DAY & LIGHT
Frank Vetter
Julia Dittloff
Urich Werning

Pretty much everyone who has ever passed through Munich's Freiheit should have noticed the white, curved roof structure of the bus and tram stop.
The tram 23 stop, a 400-tonne steel structure realised by prpm Architekten, once again demonstrates how light-hearted and lively architecture can be, despite its immense weight. In the otherwise rather orthogonal neighbourhood, the new structure forms a refreshing eye-catcher. The white, chalice-shaped supports, shimmering green from within, flow seamlessly into the amorphous roof, giving the impression of a hall that has grown from the ground, almost fioral in appearance, under which passers-by can reach the tram or the Münchner Freiheit underground station with dry feet.

This structure shines in the right light thanks to its star-shaped, white lighting elements, which hang suspended from the ceiling at a height of approximately 4.50 metres. Integrated into these elements are linear luminaires with fluorescent lamps for ceiling illumination, spotlights for floor illumination, and loudspeakers. The controllable, indirect lighting allows for adjustment of the brightness beneath the roof and ensures the roof's floating character at night. The direct lighting with spot light sources provides the necessary illumination level, as well as brilliance and plasticity on the platform surfaces. To accentuate the supports, a specially designed LED downlight has been fitted in the upper part of the chalices, allowing them to shimmer green from within at night. During the day, the interior sides of the supports are illuminated by the skylights above.