Outline Concept
“The ECB-site, with the 250 meter long existing Grossmarkthalle, is horizontally orientated in contrast to the vertical inner city. A horizontal building will hover above the Grossmarkthalle, separated by a 20 meter high void. The building touches the ground incidentally by using round frames for structure and circulation. A small part of the building volume will be continued vertically on the east side of the Grossmarkthalle and is connected to the underground floor levels. The steel and concrete frames will perforate the vaulted roof of the Grossmarkthalle and provide access from the spacious entrance hall to the floating office floors.

The new ECB building expresses itself as a compact and autonomous building. The compact organisation of the program allows for a green park space around the building. The borders of the park are landscape designed physical barriers, which provide the first security level of the bank.

The spacious Grossmarkthalle is part of the park level and will function as the entrance hall. The existing basement will be used as main entrance level and accommodates public facilities.

In the heart of the building the Decision Making Bodies will be vertically located on all floors. Using structural façades every floor has a free span which offers maximum possibilities to organise different office concepts and interiors.

A glass roof and façade cover the building and expresses its horizontal orientation. The building mass is transformed into a z-form through which 40 meter high voids are formed between the mass and the skin. The voids provide daylight and fresh air into the building.”