BMW WELT – Holistic and ultra-fast EV charging experience
Rapid eV charging in a serene and inspiring environment.
Recharge and recuperate.
EVs are futuristic and fun to drive. Charging? Not so much. Too often, facilities for recharging eCar batteries are tucked away in gloomy corners and fail to offer a pleasant experience.
At BMW Welt in Munich, drivers of BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce vehicles can now enjoy a more positive and compelling alternative. The venue challenged Designworks to develop a “phygital” charging experience that harmoniously embeds high-speed charging stations into it´s forecourt. The result is a safe and welcoming charging environment that inspires enthusiasm for electric mobility—while making a clear statement about BMW Welt’s vision for the future. By extending the design language of the iconic building, the spacious and welcoming high-power-charging area provides visitors with a seamless flow that transforms charging from a necessity into part of the journey while stimulating all five senses.
The holistic concept was developed by our Munich studio. Working together across disciplines, our team created an inviting space that offers customers a future-oriented and distinctive experience, enabling high-power charging in only 15 minutes.
Three core principles derived from the BMW brand form the heartbeat of this installation:
- Human-centric design: Enhanced emotions stimulating all senses.
- Intelligent reduction: Reduced to the essential, while maximizing the experience.
- Tech magic: Dedicated technology to enable moments of surprise.
Charging time becomes quality time.
Drivers cruise along a winding strip (we call it The Catwalk) that serves as a showcase opportunity for EVs. At five stations, slimline “charging trees” with an open and welcoming posture detect approaching vehicles. Each tree has a free-floating appearance that supports a tranquil ambiance. Intuitive digital interfaces are also built into the trees, with screens that provide video guidance and enable hassle-free payment via credit card or NFC.
Each station also features a bench where drivers can rest and enjoy the atmosphere of this full-sensory space, complete with colorful plants and flowers. Both elements of the BMW Welt High-Power-Charging installation share a symmetrical look and feel, with all shapes and angles orchestrated to create a coherent design. The trees and benches are made of sheet metal coated in the same color that features in the façade of BMW Welt. In this way, the facility is perfectly aligned with the architectural language of nearby landmarks like BMW’s headquarters and the former Olympic Village.
The Catwalk is made of concrete and terrazzo, referencing the historic surrounding by leveraging the same materials. By integrating locally sourced elements such as natural stone from the Isar River, the project reflects a mindful approach to materials and context. Similarly, advanced drainage and heat management systems beneath the Catwalk optimize the facility’s environmental impact. Heat generated by the charging process is channeled below ground, which eliminates the need for salt to remove ice or snow in winter.
Charging ahead to a future-ready experience.
The high-power-charging installation at BMW Welt began operation in early September 2025, when the car-loving community gathered in Munich for the IAA Mobility (Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung) trade event. BMW launched the first model in its Neue Klasse series at IAA, with a sharp emphasis on electric mobility that offers joyous driving pleasure. With this installation, it also offered joyous charging pleasure—by lifting drivers out of the shadows and into a bright and peaceful space.
If you’d like to learn more about this project and how we at Designworks are shaping the future of e-mobility, reach out to John Schoenbeck at John.C.Schoenbeck@bmwgroupdesignworks.com
