sensitively superimposed – asamgebäude (asam building)
signage system
freising 2024

it’s been quite a journey: from bishop’s school to vegan café. the asam building in freising was built around 300 years ago, in the baroque era. the construction process was spread over 45 years, during which time the original plans were – with very little fuss – repeatedly modified and added to. so building projects weren’t any better, it seems, in the old days. and after that? in 1975 the baroque west wing was extended by several metres, and now we’re endowing the building with another new addition – its own signature script font, superimposed with great sensitivity onto these historic layers. like the architecture itself the building’s various uses over time bear witness to changing social models and beliefs: originally a lyceum – a secondary school, in the old style – under the religious jurisdiction of the ruling prince-bishop, it later became a courthouse as ecclesiastical properties were repurposed. today the building houses the city’s museum and theatre, the tourist information office and various shops. the name goes back to the painter hans georg asam, who was responsible for the beautifully painted ceiling that can still be admired inside. it was from this elegant late-baroque style – shimmering and painterly – that we drew our inspiration. primary destinations appear in large, three-dimensional, reflective silvery lettering, while secondary destinations are printed in black on baroque-style oval mirrors. in this way the entire building is sensitively scripted, signalling the way up (to the theatre) or down (to the museum), left (for food) or right (for drinks). at the same time the signage system reflects young and old, old and new, merging into the whole with a natural, effortless grace.

asamgebäude (asam building)
signage system
freising 2024

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