The new residential and commercial building ‘Pick-Nick’ on Straßburger Platz in Dresden (Germany) has developed from a controversial construction project into an award-winning design highlight. The seven-storey building, located at one of the busiest intersections in the city, was planned by the Dresden-based team of architects Leinert Lorenz. On a gross floor area of almost 8,000 square metres, 52 apartments between 31 and 108 square metres were built, realised as one- to four-room apartments, and several commercial units on the ground floor.
"It was all a question of the right orientation and façade design," explains Dirk Lorenz, the architect in charge. While the space- and north-facing façades were designed to be rather closed, the building opens up on the rear and south sides, as well as on the front sides, with generous glass surfaces and continuous balconies.
The charm of diversity: the diamond as a design feature
The façade band consists of over 8,000 aluminium rhombi in various shades of green and beige. This visually divides the massive structure into several sections without breaking it up. The specially developed custom colours of olive green, grey-green, reseda green, opal green, light ivory, pearl white and light bronze were distributed across the façade in a pixelated pattern using artificial intelligence. "The design is based on an abstract landscape," explains Lorenz. The colourful surface reflects sunlight and gives the façade a multifaceted effect that sets it apart from other buildings in the area.
Perfect craftmanship for a sophisticated façade
The craftsmanship of the diamond-shaped façade presented the Sperber Klempner company with particular challenges. "The diamond-shaped wall of the façade symbolises a rice field – an abstract but exciting idea," explains managing director Jens Sperber. "However, we couldn't lose sight of the big picture on the construction site, otherwise the rice field would quickly have turned into chaos." The aim was to create a continuous, functional façade band, and "the façade should appear homogeneous, without pockets or angle bars," says the master tinsmith. To achieve this, for example, the window boxes were built as frames, which, in addition to aesthetic requirements, also fully meet fire protection requirements.
The coordination between creative ideas and technical requirements demanded patience and precision from everyone in the company. According to Sperber, close collaboration between architects and craftsmen was key to the success of this project. "Good architects seek the advice of craftsmen early on," he says, emphasising the importance of considering practical solutions during the planning.
The 'pick-nick' as part of Dresden's architectural history
The project triggered a broad discussion at the time with the demolition of the former ‘Pick-Nick’ fast food restaurant. The demolition was not without controversy, but extensive mediation in the form of exhibitions and events promoted acceptance of the new building. In the meantime, a replica of the iconic restaurant lettering ‘pick-nick’ now shines on the new building. The original lettering is now in the Dresden City Museum.
Further information
Material: special design rhomboid 29×29
Colour: special colours olive green, grey-green, reseda green, opal green, light ivory, pearl white, light bronze
Photo credit: PREFA / Croce & Wir.
