David Chipperfield Architects

‘Kaufhaus Tyrol’ Department Store . Innsbruck

more: David Chipperfield Architects . photos: Ute Zscharnt

The historic centre of Innsbruck along Maria-Theresien-Straße is characterised by a picturesque town structure, which has grown since mediaeval times. The new Kaufhaus Tyrol as a large inner-city building integrates itself into the existing context with sensitivity and power while still respecting it. The new building occupies the space of the former Kaufhaus Tyrol and stretches from Maria-Theresien-Straße through the interior of the block with its central atrium through to Erlerstraße.

Structure is given to the long, stretched front of the new building through three façade sections which are at a slight incline to each other, continuing the historic structure of Maria-Theresien-Straße, which has grown irregularly throughout time. The main entrance, situated in the centre, is subtly emphasised by the central part of the building being higher and faces the Old Town and the pedestrian zone. Colonnade-like façade columns with a large cross section form the main architectural characteristic of the building. Through their deep reveals the columns continue the shadow play of the neighbouring buildings with their protruding bays and projections.

The façade is made of pre-cast concrete elements with natural stone and marble aggregates. The surface treatment of the pre-cast concrete elements gives the facade its distinctive identity. The front section of the concrete elements is sandblasted whereas the sides of the elements, the window reveals, are polished giving them a terrazzo-like appearance. Room-height window openings distributed over all floors mediate between the new Kaufhaus Tyrol and the historic environment.

The neighbouring Schindlerhaus, dating back to the sixteenth century, has been frequently modified over the course of the centuries. After careful restoration work of the façade and the addition of a further floor it provides space for offices and meeting rooms and for the former Schindler Café.

The east façade of the Kaufhaus Tyrol along the Erlerstraße picks up the theme of the main façade with its room-height window openings. Because of the overall spatial concept and bearing concept, which already existed prior to the design, it is built as non-bearing post and beam construction in anodised, brushed aluminium. An additional entrance on this side allows shoppers to walk all the way through the building from the Maria-Theresien-Straße to Erlerstraße. A five-storey, naturally lit atrium provides a central access to all the floors, offering glimpses of other departments and enabling orientation when on a shopping trip.

A low energy concept was developed for the Kaufhaus Tyrol. A concrete core cooling system with groundwater pumped from the River Inn was developed. This was a pilot project for extensive use of water from the River Inn. The new Kaufhaus Tyrol has a gross floor area of 58,000 sqm with an effective area for retail purposes of 27,000 sqm.