Outline Concept
“The City of Frankfurt is the only city in Europe where urban development is determined by high-rise buildings contained within the historic city centre. In Frankfurt this construction type resembles the term ‘bank’ per se and, in the past, helped the city to be internationally perceived as an important financial centre. On considering the adequate building height we realised that the possible height of 150 m mentioned in the tender is too low in the face of the dimensions of the covered wholesale market, the building proportions and the significance of the institution. It appears to us that a height of approx. 200 m for this location would meet ideal proportions.

The high security requirements for the ECB spaces allow leaving the areas between the covered wholesale market and Sonnemannstraße as well as the immediate vicinity surrounding the market free from buildings. Thus, it is possible to retain the historic impression of a solitaire on a wide square. Supplementary buildings and the linear design of the square areas are also orientated to this generous historic appearance. Additional, collateral construction elements have been designed in an unobtrusive manner and shall enclose the composition of the new and the historic main structure body.

In order to retain the particular character of its impressive interior we intend to leave the structure body so that it can still be experienced in its entirety in the future. The new functions are therefore incorporated as suspended structures which remain without connection to the outside walls. The sinking of the main room of the visitor centre expands its exhibition possibilities and increases the three-dimensional effect of the room. The gangways to office areas and conference facilities can be reached by escalators from a platform placed inside the market.”