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The ZOB Munich is developing at a central hub of metropolitan and long-distance trains, in

immediate vicinity to the main station. Reshaping the northern fringe of the city towards the tracks
it represents, for people coming from the city, a prelude to this new development area. In addition
to the requisite traffic facilities providing terminals for 29 long-distance coach services, spaces for
commerce, catering and office are being developed.
The coach stations building volume unites those purposes in an object-like form, its shell having
the appearance of a chassis, and becomes the head of the new urban area at the edge of the
track field.
The coaches enter and leave on a road separate from the loop for dropping people off and its
secondary spaces. A terminal lounge opens to the east towards the generous forecourt. From
here, travellers and passers-by enjoy a panoramic view across the wide space of the track system, to the main station, and the city skyline. Above the coach terminals there is a mall with
shops and restaurants, and in the basement a discotheque for entertainment and events. The
arcade level offers an attractive location for the other purposes and allows synergies with the
services featured in the ZOB. Apart from that, it provides effective protection against immissions
coming from the traffic area beneath. The comb-shaped layout of the office areas is enabled by a
support structure also ensuring the required flexibility of use. The natural ventilation of the office
spaces is effected only by its users by opening and closing the windows. Subsidiary mechanical
ventilation and concrete core temperature control are also available. Green courts derive their
specific character from the uninterrupted building envelope. They enhance the micro-climate
(providing cooler air in summer) and improve the neighbouring office units.
The building envelope consists of a durable and maintenance-free metal structure composed of a
substructure (ribs) carrying aluminium tubes in regular intervals. This volume, which deliberately
comes off against the urban fabric, makes up an impressive mark at the starting point and
destination of interregional coach and train traffic, reflecting the dynamic nature of those
connections and at the same time representing an attractive factor of identification for other uses.

Central Bus Terminal Munich - ZOB


The new building combines the functions bus terminal, office, hotel and services and will be
situated in a very central location in between exclusive office buildings at the City-TrainStation Hackerbruecke.
The building is divided into different function areas. Escalators leads from the bus terminal at
ground level to the 4 upper areas where gastronomy, shops and offices are located.
This object is so far unique in Germany and will be a new landmark of Munich not only
because of its superior location and its easy transport connection

Andreas
J. Focke / architekturfoto.org

The lighting for the Central Bus Terminal in Munich by pfarr lighting
design aims at giving the appearance of a building floating on a cushion of cold
white light. As a result, warm light is used in the upper floors and in the exterior
space while a softly shimmering faade evokes a powerfully glowing orange.
More images and their description after the break.

Andreas
J. Focke / architekturfoto.org

Floodlights integrated within the nine-meter high light masts subtly illuminate the
165 meter long faade of aluminum tubes. The banner on the retail, restaurant
and caf level is brilliant orange, and has advertising for all the companies in the
building. The banner is evenly illuminated by floodlights with glare reduction. The
bus terminal level is illuminated by 200 cold-white downlights and is transformed
into a large, highly contrasted area covering nearly 9,000 square meters after
nightfall.

Andreas
J. Focke / architekturfoto.org

The shopping level has indirect ceiling lighting from recessed light fields. This lowcost system was used throughout the mezzanine level mall area. Additional
downlights give special emphasis to entryways, elevators and intersections. By
using highly efficient glare-reducing lighting technology it was possible to deliver a
project with exceptionally low energy balance sheet figures: the interior achieves
an average value of 4.3 W/m2 and the exterior 0.5 W/m2.
Lighting Design: pfarr lighting design
Location: Munich, Germany
Team: Gerd Pfarr, Katja Mbs, Guido Meier, Mitzi Medina
Developer: Hochtief Projektentwicklung GmbH
Architects: Auer + Weber + Assoziierte
Landscape Architects: Latz + Partner GbR

Surface Area: Interior space 8,400 m2; Outdoor areas 13,900 m2


Completion: 2009

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