Canteen Audi AG, Ingolstadt

Dynamic forms stand at the centre of the design of the two-storey canteen. Borrowed from the soft, flowing lines of the silhouette of a car, a series of striking spatial elements has been created, which divide the large room into different sojourn qualities and offer orientation.

With the different room situations – classical seating at rectangular bistro tables, but also at large, freestanding round tables as well as higher variants with barstools and seating niches – an attractive, inviting environment has been created for various communication requirements. Here there is room both for the joint break with colleagues and also for a private chat. Comfort and retreat areas are available to staff during their breaks. “This zoning is fundamental. Although what we have built is basically a large canteen, visitors should not perceive it as such,” is how Gerhard Landau explains the requirements, and he continues: “To achieve this effect, the acoustics and the lighting are crucial as well as the attractive furnishings.”

The flowing form of the room and the generous ceiling height of 7.50 meters are aided by the lively bottom view of the three-dimensionally shaped acoustic ceiling. The suspended acoustic cylinders not only serve sound absorption for the purpose of pleasant acoustics, but also have an optic effect. From the ceiling-integrated spotlights and pendants, a warm, brilliant light is cast onto the tables. Generously sized windows let much daylight into the interior and also create transparency.

Healthy, freshly prepared wholefood nutrition stands at the forefront. This led to the conscious decision to divide the restaurant area into five serving stations, with a varied food selection in line with the modern “Front Cooking Concept”. One advantage here is that modern canteen kitchens, with their smaller and more effective technical equipment and efficient delivery chains, need less space. Instead of standing in long queues, employees can switch between the different outlets according to their individual wishes and thus spread the load. The Work Lounge, which is open all day and has a barista bar on the gallery level, provides additional space for employees. To differentiate this area from the classical canteen mode, a different form and colour design was chosen. The furniture and the differently designed retreat areas are also quite distinct from the restaurant area. This ambience encourages visitors to linger and promotes communication between employees.

Reduced materials such as Corian, glass and stone and the shaped surfaces are in great contrast to the light floor made of fine stoneware. A particular accent is set by the dynamic colour areas over the serving stations, in which one could interpret a graphical pattern or the concept of a new car model, depending on the daily form.

Task:

Gastronomy

Bauherr: Audi AG
Interior Designer: Landau + Kindelbacher Architekten - Innenarchitekten
Architecture: Behnisch Architekten / pbr Architekten
Signaletik: Büro Uebele
Total Area: 4180 m²
Seating Restaurant: 1100 seats,  expandable to 1700 seats,  of which standing seats 400
Seats Work Lounge: 360
Date of Completion: 2017

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