Max Planck Institute for European Legal History

The Max Planck Society has built a new institute and library for the Max Planck Institute for European Legal History on the campus of the Goethe University in Frankfurt am Main.
The prestigious inner courtyard was paved with limestone slabs similar in material and colour to that used in the façades of the campus’ buildings.
These were installed with very tight joints in three separate lines of varying widths, creating a homogeneous and very walkable surface, which can be used for the institute’s ceremonies and receptions.
The system of paths that run between the planting beds leading to the centre of the courtyard is paved with colour-coordinated synthetic resin, making the ‘branching design’ readily apparent

The green, contemplative character of the courtyard is greatly influenced by compactly pruned honeysuckle hedges. A bizarre structure of wild rose shrubs and colourful multi-stem amelanchier trees rises above the strong geometry of the hedges. A water basin in the centre of the courtyard called for in the original plans was dropped due to budgetary contraints.

Client
Max Planck Society, Munich

Architect
Staab Architekten, Berlin

Area
1300 m²

Service Phase
2-8

Completion
June 2013

Photos
Marcus Ebener