this undulating brick façade imitates the movement of draped fabric

behet bondzio lin architekten has realised a strong textile image in the undulating brick façade of this building in germany. the intention of the architecture firm was to allude to the association’s work with fabric of which the structure houses.

images courtesy of behet bondzio lin architekten

the recently completed headquarters has been built for the association of the northwest german textile and garment industry in münster, germany. the inspiration for the brick façade was the alabaster fold of the beethoven statue by max klinger, one of the statue’s most notable features being the realistic folds of the robe that envelops the figure. the firm was particularly interested in the paradoxical perception of a seemingly fluent light fabric that is in fact built from solid stone.

following this image, behet bondzio lin architekten employed six different stones in varying color, positioning them to create a seemingly moving façade of light and shadow. the brick façade encloses the east, south, and westerly sides, of the elongated structure. to north it opens almost completely over a glass window to the exceptionally beautiful landscape. the result is a design which navigates visitors into the buildings, whilst providing all of its users with a view of the picturesque landscape outside.