Discover the Niemeyer Sphere, a 12-meter white concrete and glass orb in an industrial Leipzig neighborhood. This final, visionary design by legendary architect Oscar Niemeyer, featuring innovative dimmable liquid crystal windows, serves as a unique event space and restaurant, embodying his signature curves and illusion of lightness.
The Niemeyer Sphere, a breathtaking 12-meter diameter white orb, appears to float above a former boiler house in an industrial area of Leipzig, Germany. This mesmerizing creation is the final design of world-renowned Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, a visionary known for valuing newness and creating space-age buildings. Opened in June 2020, its journey from concept to completion took two decades, documented by photographer Margret Hoppe in the exhibition 'The Spirit of Past Future' currently hosted within the building. The Sphere's origin traces back to 1994 when entrepreneur Ludwig Koehne bought a factory and envisioned a refined dining space for his workers' canteen chef. Inspired by Niemeyer's Brasília architecture, Koehne approached the then 103-year-old architect in 2011. Niemeyer sketched the initial design before his death in 2012, leaving behind material to be developed by his long-time associate, Jair Valera, and executive architect Harald Kern. A major challenge was designing the south-west-facing windows to prevent overheating while maintaining aesthetic appeal. Merck developed unique liquid crystal glass panels, 144 triangular panes, that can dim from a soft gray to dark black, offering 'walk-in sunglasses' functionality. This innovative use of technology aligns with Niemeyer's philosophy of incorporating surprise, beauty, and fantasy into architecture, moving beyond rigid rules. His signature materials, concrete and glass, are used to create an illusion of lightness. The Sphere features three levels: a technical area, a bar on the middle floor, and a top-floor dining area with cushioned designer chairs and a Niemeyer drawing. Beyond its architectural marvel, the Techne Sphere complex also hosts art galleries and outdoor concerts, making Niemeyer's final project a vibrant cultural hub that combines all his artistic interests, from curves to the element of surprise.
