‘office bührmann & partners’ by wasserfall munting architects, klein windhoek, namibia images courtesy of wasserfall munting architects

completed by namibia-based practice wasserfall munting architects, the ‘office bührmann & partners’ located in klein windhoek, namibia has been shortlisted for an award in the office category for the 2011 world architecture festival. a long-span concrete beam extends from the facade to announce its main entrance and circulate visitors into an oasis garden. a roof height wing wall adjacent to a floating entry stair introduces an axial pathway bordering an open air courtyard with mature trees. the plot’s narrow dimensions and limited area of 1,500 square meters within a residential district dictated a low-profile structure to conform to the modest scale of the established architectural context.

wasserfall munting architects: office bührmann & partners - 2 long-span concrete beam and wing wall announces entry stair

a butterfly roof projects from the central lobby space to cantilever over the work areas introducing natural light into the inner depths of the building through ribbon clerestory windows. hovering above a reflecting pool, the office spaces are contained within glass cubes framed with monolithic bands of concrete. the linear water element serves as a psychological barrier to divide the functional areas of the site while a steel mesh fence provides a secure boundary for the complex. the material palette of untreated concrete, aluminum and timber complement the native vegetation planted within the adjacent courtyard.

wasserfall munting architects: office bührmann & partners - 3 path to main entrance

wasserfall munting architects: office bührmann & partners - 4 offices border outdoor courtyard

wasserfall munting architects: office bührmann & partners - 5 offices

wasserfall munting architects: office bührmann & partners - 6 courtyard entrance glowing at night

wasserfall munting architects: office bührmann & partners - 7 offices illuminated at night

wasserfall munting architects: office bührmann & partners - 8 site model

wasserfall munting architects: office bührmann & partners - 9 model of butterfly roof

wasserfall munting architects: office bührmann & partners - 10 elevation

wasserfall munting architects: office bührmann & partners - 11 elevation

project info:

architects: wasserfall munting architects project architect: jaco wasserfall client: bührmann & partners consulting engineers civil/structural: bührmann & partners consulting engineers mechanic/electric: GS fainsinger & associates contractor: MAT construction project value: 11 million NAD (namibian dollar) completion: 2010