Outline Concept
“The new ensemble is integrated into the urban scheme through the sensitive handling of the existing building. The latter, to the north of the site, will be renovated and rehabilitated. Thus, the immediate urban space and its relationships –although now at a higher standard - remain unchanged.

On the south side, towards the Main River, a symbol for the new development of East Frankfurt is set against the background of the refurbished listed building. This new intervention in Ostend does not try to compete with the Financial District; we propose an integrational approach.

Thanks to their prominent location on the banks of the Main and to their proximity to the city centre, the premises are a landmark in the cityscape, which is now enriched by the exchange between old and new.

Several layers of complexity are created through the interaction between different heights, transparency and opaqueness, closeness and distance, and perspectival displacement.

The new premises for the European Central Bank are conceived as a contemporary interpretation of a castle fortification protected by water. Berm and moat protect the building complex from the lingering danger from the area. The berm acts as primary boundary whose edge is softened with the planting of irises, while the most acts as secondary boundary and surrounds all the buildings. The purpose of this secondary boundary is twofold: it protects the ensemble while conveying and granting a feeling of openness.

The theme of water is set forth in the interior of the new building: water of different iridescent colours washes the surface of the interior courtyards.

The volumes of the towers are incised with hanging gardens. A braided mesh serves as the planting armature for the vertical spaces.”