Visualization Königstrasse 1c, view from Schlossgarten park, Stuttgart. – Matthias Schukies for Oliv Architekten
FUTURE-ORIENTED ARCHITECTURE With 20 years of experience in resource-saving conversions, the architects also tend to look at new building projects from a special angle, beyond the usual approach. The individual combination of a site’s potential, future usage and the construction laws first leads to an architectural vision. Oliv Architekten then develop a problem-solving strategy, leading to a maximum in aesthetic, ecological and economic value creation. Architect Thomas Sutor founded Oliv Architekten in 1999 within an interdisciplinary office community in Munich. Constant motion and creative adjustment have formed the basis for all ideas and designs from the 74
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Issue 108
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August 2023
start. Their partners for the most part are real estate developers and investors looking for individual solutions. In view of current societal developments, the architects perceive conversion projects as rapidly growing in importance. Apart from new buildings, the revitalization of existing structures thus plays a major part in the Oliv Architekten portfolio.
REVITALIZATION KÖNIGSTRASSE 1C, STUTTGART The conversion and revitalization of redundant department store architecture are currently changing city centers across the country. The former Karstadt Sport retail building in Stuttgart’s pedestrian shopping zone was for the most part deserted since fall 2020. The promi-
nent site close to both the Schlossgarten park and the future ‘Stuttgart 21’ rail hub suggests a mix of office, retail and gastronomy spaces. Profound creative and structural measures are needed to prepare the 1960s building for contemporary usage. Both the integration into the urban context and an opening towards the park are part of the revitalization concept. The sustainable and identity-building new architecture forms a contemporary prelude to the revitalization of the entire quarter. While an opening to all sides of the building via a transparent facade creates attractive retail and gastronomy spaces, the old Theaterpassage will be dismantled to open a visual axis to the park and give the northeast facade new significance. Most vital to the design is the sloping, accessible roof
TEXT: CORNELIA BRELOWSKI
For each new project, Munich-based Oliv Architekten think far beyond the horizon.