This office building occupies a geometrically complex site in the heart of Pleidesheim's historic centre, a municipality north of Ludwigsburg. The distinctive three-gabled silhouette echoes the proportions of the surrounding vernacular architecture, while its unified material envelope strengthens the building's presence within the townscape. The interior houses an ambitious spatial program. Schilling Escher Steinhilber Architects – Sesa – elevated the ground floor approximately 50 cm above street level, a strategic move that transformed the southern façade into a gallery space while allowing the basement to function as an exhibition area with generous natural light.

The floor plans across all levels articulate both the three distinct building volumes and create cohesive, unified floors. The outer wings house offices alongside exhibition and assembly spaces, while the central volume serves as the building's heart—a communication hub welcoming employees and visitors and organizing circulation through the various zones. A private courtyard on the rear facade extends this central gathering space into the open air. The two upper floors each contain 20 workstations distributed between open-plan and individual offices.

The façade employs an innovative handmade brick system that draws inspiration from centuries-old hollow tile techniques yet simplifies installation considerably. Mechanically anchored from behind, the bricks resist storm damage and intentional tampering alike, offering inherent protection against vandalism. The brick envelope flows seamlessly from façade to roof, reinforcing the unified architectural vision of the three-gabled design. Modern in execution yet warm and rustic in character, the façade strikes an exclusive yet approachable aesthetic. Sustainability is integral to the concept: the bricks can be easily dismantled, recycled, and reinstalled without specialized equipment.

www.sesa.de

Photos:
Werner Huthmacher
www.huthmacher-data.de

(Published in CUBE Stuttgart 02|24)