Window glazing flush with the façade underlines the structure’s sculptural presence.

The 2008 State election in Bavaria resulted in a premiere: for the first time, five parties were represented in the Bavarian State Parliament, the Maximilianeum. Since this venerable building was not able to offer enough rooms, an extension was commissioned as an annex to the northern side of the 19th century structure. The competition was won by the Berlin architectural firm Léon Wohlhage Wernik. Precisely positioned and with an unobtrusive design but an expressive structure – that’s how the new annex was to blend into the monumental historic ensemble designed by Friedrich Bürklein. What is more, the new building was to comply with passive house standards and provide barrier-free access. Completed in 2012, it now houses the Parliament administration, the plenary hall, conference rooms as well as 65 offices. The ceramic panel façade takes up the existing building’s material, colour and texture – just like its window proportions. At the same time, this building sets a new benchmark in terms of energyefficiency.

For the plenary hall and conference rooms, the Public Construction Authority decided to use tables made by Brunner. The high level of flexibility – a Brunner hallmark – was decisive here: each table from the state series is a special edition. Very long table tops had to be combined with extensive electrical equipment – three cable port covers and several microphones had to be integrated. Some tables were even equipped with two extendable displays each. Moreover, the tables not only feature appropriate frontal, but also lateral modesty panels, resulting in a harmonious overall appearance. This is also a characteristic of the cafeteria in the older part of the Maximilianeum: it was equipped with two-coloured sled-base chairs with seat liner and a seat shell tapered outward from the fina series with matching tables from the 2200 series, sporting a fresh look, inviting to take a relaxing break.