Guardian of Knowledgeby Svenja Dahm | 13.06.2011

European Patent Office

In the times of famous American inventor Edison it certainly did not take four years to get a patent on your invention. That’s the average time to get a patent registered at the European Patent office in Munich. According to the EPO, the price for a ten year patent is nearly 30,000 Euro. About 200,000 registrations per year – and growing. This is why the Patent Office moved to the “Pschorrhöfe“ office complex at Hackerbrücke, as an addition to the administration department. Nearly 3,500 employees manage the knowledge and the innovations of the 38 member states that belong to the European Patent Organization. The outside already is impressive. Approaching the office complex from the side coming from Hackerbrücke, the first thing you pass by is the “Between sun gate and moon square“ sculpture by artist Hannsjörg Voth. Even more artistic elements such as “Rhythm in space” by Max Bill and the ART SPACE CONEPTS, purchased by the European Patent Office on the occasion of the Beethoven year 2000, by Dirk Monreal, decorate the building.

Enlightenment on the Roof Terrace

The buildings by Ackermann und Partner architects have been adjusted in height due to the already existing six-story buildings along the street, the Southern house of the Hacker-Pschorr-brewery has been preserved. The buildings appear standardized and closed due to their aluminum faced shell. The sun protection shades installed between the panels and the well visible supporting structure, determine the patent office’s final structure. From the outside already, bright and light-flooded offices can be recognized. The open entrance hall with the big spiral stair supports this overall picture. The idea of straight-forwardness is kept all through the building. The Skybar on the eighth floor, which is open to the public, is characterized by large panoramic windows and a dark, fine timber floor. On the roof terrace, you can appreciate Edison’s most famous invention at night – when looking across the glittering big city lights of Munich.

Further projects from Munich…