(December 9, 2002) Four famous architects were given a simple-and very challenging-commission: design a cost-effective, energy-efficient, and strikingly attractive apartment building in Messestadt Riem.

The very different ways in which the ways the architects handled these commissions, issued by public housing owner GEWOFAG, is to be seen in an exhibition running until March 2003 in the InfoBox, which is located next to the Messestadt West subway station in Messestadt Riem. Forming Munich's eastern rim, Messestadt Riem is Germany's largest urban development project.

"As these four examples nicely detail, the buildings going up in the Messestadt feature a great and pleasing diversity of styles and configurations. This accords to the precepts of the community's planning," says Christiane Thalgott. She heads the municipality of Munich's planning department.

The architects and their work

Ebe + Ebe, Munich: Georg-Kerschensteiner-Straße/ Maria-Montessori-Straße (already completed) sliding orange apartment-high shades provide Mondrian effect

Herzog + Partner, Munic: west of Riem Arcades mall have ground floor ateliers, buildings forming
'points' of courtyard

Müller & Naegelin, Basel: on Helsinkistraße apartments configured to have cores
permitting generous lines of sight

Ackermann + Partner, Munich: in second residential area townhouses adjoining sites of National Garden Exhibition

This exhibition will be followed by ones detailing the planning of the community's greenery and environmental-friendliness, announced Gabriele Friderich, the head of the municipality of Munich's civic affairs department.

The InfoBox is opened from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 12 to 4 p.m. on all weekend and holidays.

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