Outline Concept
“An immense flower garden is the setting for a new European Central Bank headquarters.

Symbolically, the garden acts as a metaphor for the work of the ECB. Member countries jointly participate in the planning and planting of the garden to ensure continuous blooming. Cooperation and national representation are integral to the image and maintenance of the garden environment, echoing the collaborative nature of the ECB. The incorporation of the national flowers of the member countries into a cohesive garden celebrates cultural identity, cooperation, and natural variety.

This new garden also links with the existing green belt that weaves through the city. The ECB building is a transparent, luminous glass shell that incorporates the historic Grossmarkthalle and new office structures.

The office program is located primarily in two main stacks, equal in height to the bookend towers of the Grossmarkthalle, that rise from the surface of the flower field. Two adjacent lower stacks, situated below the flower field, allow the building to flow down toward the Main River.

The interior of the preserved Grossmarkthalle returns to public use. The symbolic flower garden continues on the interior of this important public space.

The glass skin of the building’s outer shell gives literal form to the ideal of institutional transparency. Within the building’s ephemeral glass case exists a self-contained office complex - visible, yet fully protected by the necessary levels of security.

Office blocks are designed to maximize modularity, flexibility, and expandability.

This design for the new European Central Bank combines nature and architecture to create a flexible, serene, and highly comfortable office environment for the new European Central Bank.”