May 14, 2004 | Press Release
A new landmark on the banks of the river Warnow
MPIDR open to the public on the Day of Architecture, 26 June 2004
Bright, pure in form, and transparent - this is how the Max-Planck Institut for Demographic Research (MPIDR) presents itself. The construction designed by the Danish architect Henning Larsen was built with echoes of classical modernism. Visitors are invited to view the Institute building on the Day of Architecture, which ist taking place in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern the last weekend in June.
The staff of the MPIDR moved into their new quarters in the Konrad-Zuse-Strasse 1 just one and a half years ago. The building's location on the banks of the Warnow River, its proximity to the Baltic Sea as well as its north and east alignment lend the Institute an international flair. In 1996 Henning Larsen won an international competition to build the Institute and with it accepted a major challenge of town planning: Following the closure of the adjacent shipyard, the city is expanding north and eastwards. The geographic structure of the former shipyard as well as proximity to the city center and its architecture give the new buildings their character. Situated at right angles to the Warnow River, the Max Planck Institute consists of three components. Two four-storyed wings stand parallel to one another, slightly staggered, and are connected by a middle section flooded with light. The middle section functions as a meeting place, whilst the offices are located in the more peaceful surroundings of the wings on the left and right.
A view of the Warnow River opens up through the foyer to the visitor even before entering the building through the forecourt. In addition to the reception, the ground floor also houses most shared facilities: the Johann Peter Süßmilch Auditorium with 120 seats, the library, and the cafeteria, both flanking a raised terrace. The panopticon of the ground floor cuts into the metal-clad construction of the middle section, which houses other conference rooms.
On the Day of Architecture on Saturday, 26 June, the public is invited to view the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research between 10 am and 1 pm. Tours will be held at 11 am and at noon. Visitors will also be able to view paintings and other pieces of arts stemming from the competition "Artwork at the Institute", held in connection with the new building. For further information, see our press release of 31 March 2003. The MPIDR is taking part in the Day of Architecture for the first time. There will be a total of 80 buildings (about a dozen from Rostock) throughout Mecklenburg-Vorpommern that will open their doors to the public. Further details can be obtained from www.tag-der-architektur.com.
About the MPIDR
The Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) in Rostock investigates the structure and dynamics of populations. The Institute’s researchers explore issues of political relevance, such as demographic change, aging, fertility, and the redistribution of work over the life course, as well as digitization and the use of new data sources for the estimation of migration flows. The MPIDR is one of the largest demographic research bodies in Europe and is a worldwide leader in the study of populations. The Institute is part of the Max Planck Society, the internationally renowned German research organization.