(Architecture) The first time Stefan Höglmaier entered the high-rise bunker on Ungererstrasse in Munich, he was surprised by the absolute lack of connection to the outside world. The massive concrete building generated a feeling of complete isolation. The thick walls and absence of windows prevented any daylight from coming in or any view of the outside.

 Yet, what would have caused doubt in most people activated the then 40-year-old real estate developer’s imagination. Höglmaier is drawn to architecture that goes beyond clichés and simple cookie-cutter solutions. Where others saw a windowless concrete block with a burdensome past and uncertain monumental protection requirements, he recognized potential: a free-standing building in the immediate vicinity of the English Garden, an extraordinary landmark with a spectacular panoramic view. He saw that the bunker’s majestic architecture was completely unique and that the feeling of isolation could be transformed into absolute privacy and a sense of security.

This was the vision with which he acquired the bunker, embarking on an architecturally thrilling journey. The first challenge was that during the sales process, the historic building was placed under a preservation order. This supposed hurdle, however, led to a creative exchange with the city and the monument preservation authorities. “At the beginning, we had to present our concept to the city design commission. To our surprise, we received nothing but praise and encouragement,” recalls Höglmaier. With his architect friend Tim Sittmann-Haury from “raumstation Architekten”, he found an equally courageous and creative partner who understood the client’s vision and relished the challenge. The first sketch was drawn on a napkin in a restaurant.

“The initial idea was to create just one opening per floor and side of the building, albeit almost as wide as the wall. This provides plenty of light on the inside, while the intervention only has a moderate impact on the exterior appearance. The structure’s legibility was retained, which was greatly appreciated by the authorities for the preservation of historical monuments.”

This resulted in views and light from all four cardinal directions. There are no neighboring buildings of anywhere near this height that would restrict views or sunlight. The openings are so large that they form loggia-like niches and bring daily changing light moods into the rooms. The highlight was the all-round glazed penthouse floor with a terrace on the bunker’s rooftop, whose lightness forms a contemporary contrast to the solid building structure.

The bunker has been preserved in its grandeur thanks to the minimal external interventions. A private entrance with carport and exclusive lift access and landing on each floor creates a visually sophisticated prelude. The original stairwell was preserved in its raw concrete structure and, with its natural light ceiling, offers space for large-format art. The raw concrete of the ceilings on the historic floors looks like an abstract painting itself thanks to its frame with a surrounding passe-partout.

When it came to furnishing their 400 square meter apartment, the two owners were quick to agree. The aim was to create a symbiosis between the raw substance and a homely feel. Withdrawal from the outside world, absolute privacy and adaptability of the interiors while preserving the unique qualities were key. This was an artistic balancing act admirably mastered by raumstation and the interior architect Regina Hoefter, who was brought on board as well. While Stefan Högelmaier preferred a straightforward and masculine look, his partner favored a more glamorous, playful style. They approached this challenge with a well thought-out concept that was implemented floor by floor.

The almost dramatic Hollywood Regency style, featuring strong contrasts, opulence and glamor, was the inspiration for the entrance floor with a free-standing grand piano. The “Roaring Twenties” with references to Art Deco provided inspiration for the dressing room, master bathroom and bedroom, while Regina Hoefter drew on the variety of colors and shapes of the Swinging Sixties for the fully glazed penthouse floor. 

A range of styles were rigorously combined with the visual appearance of the bunker. Extravagant fixtures were planned with Munich’s creative joinery “Holzrausch”, a potpourri of materials, from leather and stud-covered dressers to concave walnut shelves in the penthouse, which echo the chrome cladding on the outside. It is this unexpected mix of materials, such as the linoleum with brass in the kitchen, the Cole & Son Fornasetti wallpaper, the elaborately crafted curtains or the handmade bedhead made of silk-covered elements in front of the matching raffia wallpaper, that gave this living space an exclusive yet self-evident look.

A creative process in which all four, the owners as well as the architects, worked together on an equal footing. Together, they decided on vintage pieces that they had found in Paris and carefully selected which artwork would be hung, and where. Contemporary masterpieces such as the “Branching Bubble” lamp by Lindsey Adelman were combined with the “Platner Seat” by Knoll and a custom-made Corian table to create the perfect dining ensemble.

A few years after moving in, the sport-enthusiast owners fulfilled a new wish: an in-house gym, housed in one of the bunker’s apartments. Here, too, a sense of harmony unfolds. The straightforward, sleek look of the “Eleiko” sports equipment meets soothing colors, materials and midcentury vintage furniture. However, the design highlight is definitely the sanitary area with its own cryogenic chamber, all clad in Pinta Verde stone, a material that is intended to look like ice. The treatment room, on the other hand, is a much warmer space. Here, handcrafted shelves and a serpentinite washbasin are combined with flattering sisal flooring and dimmed lighting.

Stefan Höglmaier describes his refuge as a “shelter deluxe”, a protected retreat that nevertheless remains part of the urban landscape. “It offers privacy without being cut off from the city. The bunker is part of the urban environment and has also been well received by neighbors.”

This unique property stands as a symbol of the successful fusion of history, architecture and modern living. The bunker in Munich demonstrates how a unique residential project can be realized from a challenging listed building.