Outline Concept
“An architectural frame for growth and change

The most significant demand for the new premises of the European Central Bank ECB are the requirements of a growing and emerging young central bank. In particular, the attempt is to ensure architectural coherency throughout the various phases of development of the Bank:

‘Facing Skylines’ will distinguish the new ECB premises from the traditional banking district of Frankfurt within the urban landscape. Step by step extension and completion of this sculptural building will render it an attraction for staff, visitors and citizens of Frankfurt.

‘Bankscape’ is how we interpret the complexity of the huge building program. Our design is based on morphological changes. The main characteristics are a carefully conceived ensemble of similar building types of different heights.

‘Talking Towers’ is used as a synonym for communication, following one of the central requests of the competition brief, namely the “promotion of teamwork” and the “likelihood of personal interaction”.

‘Unified Variety’ will be achieved by a base structure that relates the reorganized Grossmarkthalle with the five towers. These reflect the underlying theme of Europe’s diverse regions, cultures and languages.”