Visible from the highway connecting Germany and Austria, the new Barozzi Veiga headquarters for Dynafit in Kiefersfelden is composed of two fused pyramidal volumes that aim to do something unusual for a corporate building: disappear into the landscape rather than dominate it.
The volumetric composition plays with the perception of height against the surrounding hills and valleys. On its vertical surfaces, the building maximises its monumental dimension; on the inclined sides, it reaches for a more human scale. This contrast—"an intimate yet monumental verticality"—creates a visual dialogue between the 10,200 m² structure and the alpine terrain of the Eno Valley. The geometry is simple and abstract, "somewhat enigmatic," yet strong enough in its relationship with the landscape to feel inevitable rather than imposed.
Despite the apparent simplicity of the exterior, the section reveals a rich spatiality. The interior is conceived as a bright system of open spaces, with service cores consolidated at opposite ends of each floor to maximise flexibility. Staff and visitors encounter multiple perspectives as they move through the building—the variety of vantage points is deliberate, promoting interaction through spatial surprise rather than programmatic dictation.
The facade is where the building performs most visibly. A diagonal metal lattice pattern accentuates the geometry of the twin pyramidal volumes while protecting interior spaces from solar radiation. Depending on the reflected light, this lattice transforms a simple shape into something dynamic and complex—the building’s image shifts throughout the day, from graphic clarity in the morning to a shimmering veil at dusk. The concepts of lightness, efficiency, and technology—echoing the brand’s own products—characterise this skin while maintaining constant views of the surrounding mountains.
Barozzi Veiga, known for projects where abstraction serves atmosphere rather than spectacle, have here produced a building that does not shy away from having "its own meaning and a firm identity"—yet finds that identity not in opposition to the mountains but in quiet conversation with them.
