level green at autostadt wolfsburg, germany by j mayer h architects
photo uwe walter
image courtesy j mayer h architects

personal responsibility in the sustainable use of global resources continues to play
an increasingly important role in the life of the average consumer. in this context german
firm j. mayer h. architects together with art + com were commissioned to develop
a permanent exhibition on the topic sustainability for the volkswagen autostadt (car city)
in wolfsburg, germany. the exhibition level green was opened on the 4th of june 2009
and encompasses approximately 1000 m2, rendering the highly complex topic providing
for an aesthetic access to information.


level green at autostadt wolfsburg, germany
photo uwe walter
image courtesy j mayer h architects

as one of the first prominent signs of the growing consciousness for environmentally friendly
consumption, the well known PET sign was taken as a starting point from which the metaphor
of the extensively branched web was developed. the original 2-dimensional sign was extended
into a third dimension and through a series of step by step manipulations a complex structure
was created, which allows for an abstract property of the topic to be experienced on a spatial
level.



after a phase of extensive material research, the design was executed by the use of easily
processed wood composite sheets with varying thickness according to the structural
and geometrical demands. in order to guarantee the structural performance of the construction,
all vertical elements were reinforced with a steel structure and bolted to the concrete floor.
after various testing, the colour coating was executed with acrylic-based car paint, developed
to guarantee high usability while meeting strict environmental regulations.


the concept for the display is divided into areas of object like data and statistics and a touch
sensitive surface for indepth explanations on different aspects of the topic. designed to evoke
the visitors initial interest, the first are placed within the exhibition space in the form of data
sculptures or sample objects. the latter take on the form of black surfaces for interaction
or information carrier and are seamlessly integrated into the vertical elements which define
different areas within the space.