Combining a renovation of an existing building complex with a pair of towers that are joined at the top, Candid-Tor represents a bold intervention on a challenging site in the south of Munich. Designed by MVRDV for project developer VALUES Real Estate, the 60-metre-tall landmark creates a striking presence on the scale of the city, while at ground level the design maximises the potential of the outdoor space, making connections to its surroundings and placing a green plaza at the heart of the complex. 

The project is located by Munich’s Candidplatz, in a space largely disconnected from the surroundings by roads: to the south of the site curves the six-lane Candidstraße, while the northern boundary is defined by a raised portion of Munich’s middle ringroad. An existing complex of buildings on the site houses a medical clinic and offices. In the new proposal these functions will be expanded and supplemented by a variety of other programmes including workspaces, healthcare, culture, restaurants, retail and student housing, comprising a total floor area of 31,700m².

70% of the existing buildings will be retained and renovated – with six of the nine existing blocks and the underground parking levels being incorporated into the new plan. This approach contributes greatly to the sustainability of the proposal, significantly reducing the amount of embodied carbon generated by the construction of the scheme.

The standout element is the design’s two towers, each comprising four stacked blocks of varying sizes that lean towards each other – with the top-most blocks touching each other to create a “gate”. With this addition, the project becomes a landmark that helps to define the surrounding area and joins a series of other sculptural landmarks forming a chain on the east side of the river Isar.

Candid-Tor’s rhythmic façade grid emphasises the clear geometry of the building volumes. Photovoltaic panels are integrated into the façade frames, with their size and positioning adapted to the amount of sunlight each side of the building receives. Terracotta, yellow and green tones draw inspiration from the works of 16th-century painter Peter Candid, creating a direct connection to the artistic legacy to the person who lent his name to Candidplatz. Metallic surfaces complement the palette, referencing the material character of the existing architecture and bringing continuity between old and new.

The towers are primarily designed for office use, with additional functions, such as hospitality, a cultural hub, and a supermarket, distributed across the site. Student housing will be added on the roofs of the existing buildings. The variety of amenities on the campus caters to employees, local residents and visitors, creating a lively and mixed-use destination.

The landscape concept is based on the site’s existing green character.  It transforms the site into a cohesive network of green open spaces that strengthens its connection to the surrounding neighbourhood of Candidplatz. 102 existing trees will be preserved and 37 new trees will be planted, which together form a continuous green ring around the development. It acts as a natural buffer against the surrounding ring roads while providing shade, supporting biodiversity and improving the local microclimate.

The stacked volumes create terraces on different levels of the tower, with planting informed by the ‘sponge city’ concept to support urban water absorption. Combined with a landscaped courtyard, they provide a variety of outdoor environments and complement the area’s existing green spaces. A generous new entrance on Pilgersheimer Strasse, including a broad staircase and an accessible ramp, creates a welcoming arrival point and strengthens connections to the Candidplatz underground station and existing pedestrian and cycling routes.