Outline Concept
“Just as the European institution owes its strength and inspiration from centuries of fine tradition, ECB's architecture is anchored by the old Grossmarkthalle, around which it grows and seemingly explodes.

The design strategy is to wrap the new Office complex around the east wing of the existing Grossmarkthalle with two office towers located directly behind addressing the north-east-corner of the site.

The main idea is that by wrapping the new buildings around the end of the Grossmarkthalle allows for its major frontage to remain open from obstruction and thus can be viewed from both the street side and the river.

The wrap is of a similar scale to the existing building and is intended to give a balanced harmony between the two. It also aims to bring a seamless connection to both the north and south sides of the site without adversely affecting the Grossmarkthalle.

The towers denote the major entrance to the bank while the existing Grossmarkthalle is used to contain all the larger semi-public spaces such as auditorium and press rooms. The restaurant spaces are located at various levels within the east of the Grossmarkthalle and are literally at the heart of the design being at its very centre and are easily accessible for staff and public alike.

The overall design is intentionally compact in order that access between the different areas is convenient and interaction between them, both visual and physical, is optimized.

An additional idea is that a public access route passes directly through the site giving the public an open dialogue with the workings of the bank. This link connects the corner of Grussonstrasse and Hanauer Landstrasse directly with the river promenade and incorporates the proposed pedestrian bridge allowing connection directly with the opposite bank of the river.“