Flower School, Munich

The historic building housing the Vocational Training Center for Fashion at Sendlinger-Tor-Platz in Munich underwent partial renovation in the summer and fall of 2015. Fire damage had damaged the ceiling of the historic gymnasium, and insulation containing mineral wool had been installed during previous renovations. A hazardous materials cleanup was carried out. In consultation with the Munich City Historic Preservation Authority, ribbed expanded metal was used as the new suspended ceiling. The material’s porosity not only enhances the effectiveness of the planned acoustic elements but also improves ventilation of the historic wooden beams. The ribbed expanded metal is also comparatively lightweight and, as a contemporary material with high design quality, blends seamlessly into the historic structure. The doors installed in the 1980s, as well as those from the 2006 attic conversion, were replaced with double-leaf steel tube-frame doors. The slim profiles and high glass content of the doors make the hallways appear even brighter and more spacious. Thanks to these additional fixtures, the team stations in the hallways can now be used by students as workspaces or meeting areas.