The studio building Bavarian Radio should become a monument and be given a new usage concept “that ensures its continued existence”. The Association of German Architects (BDA) Bavaria made this demand in a press release. Under the heading “BR studio building must be preserved!” The BDA argues that the building, which was completed in 1963, “has become a place whose loss could not be compensated for through countless recordings, concerts and events (…)”.
After examinations, the State Office for Monument Preservation initially did not grant the studio building any monument status. In September, however, the authority surprisingly announced that the audit had “not yet been completed”. The BDA professional association now explains that the studio building must be given monument status because of “its special quality and unique history”. It combines “forward-looking architectural, engineering and room acoustic solutions with high-quality architectural execution”.
The studio building, also known as the radio house, is part of the BR main site on Rundfunkplatz; the building also has a large facade along Marsstrasse. Numerous radio programs are still produced there today, and there are also three halls on the ground floor that are used for concerts as well as music recordings.
The BR is currently moving its broadcasting operations piece by piece to the campus in Freimann. When this is completed, he will no longer need the studio building for radio operations. At the same time, the station is planning to fundamentally restructure its city center location. A media location with various uses will be created through demolition and new construction. The studio building is slated for demolition, also because a complete renovation would cost 300 million euros, according to a report cited by the BR. The broadcaster explains that they would rather put the money into the program.
However, numerous artists have spoken out in favor of preserving the studio building, and now an influential professional association of architects has also spoken out. “The BDA Bavaria is expressly and actively committed to the preservation and further development of the existing building, which plays a crucial role in the economical use of resources, climate protection in construction and sustainable urban development,” explains BDA state chairman Jörg Heiler.
Therefore, the previous replanning of the broadcasting site must be “reviewed and corrected,” according to a more detailed statement that the BDA Bavaria sent out in addition to the press release. The association is apparently also trying to state its concerns directly: they are also “in discussion with Bayerischer Rundfunk” about the future of studio construction.