First glimpse of UNStudio's winning concept for proposed mixed-use in Frankfurt

UNStudio recently won a competition to design a new mixed-use development proposed for the former Deutsche Bank site in Frankfurt. Launched this past November, the competition sought the best scheme that will liven up the financial district and act as an "urban hinge" to connect to the rest of the city. With UNStudio's proposal as the basis, the city's masterplan for the new development is jam-packed, including four high-rise residential and office buildings in total that the architects describe will enhance Frankfurt's skyline, as well as a multitude of pedestrian-friendly public spaces.

A key purpose of UNStudio's proposal was to open up the current site towards the city center through new connecting routes, passages and squares, and integrate the listed building facades in Junghofstraße.

As described by UNStudio: "Through a sequence of two public squares and numerous pedestrian accesses the new quarter promises to become a lively new neighborhood in Frankfurt...The four high-rise towers and public spaces on the Deutsche Bank site will form a new urban quarter. Two of the towers are earmarked for residential use, while areas for restaurants and retail will also be developed...The project will include a new 59-floor building, which is already included in the current zoning plan. The two additional high-rise residential buildings that together will provisionally provide space for more than 600 apartments are new features. In addition, there will be a daycare centre for children, two hotels, and a wide selection of restaurants and retail outlets...The four towers are grouped in such a way that the central square is completely framed. The differentiation of the orientation and heights of the four high-rise buildings articulates variations within the skyline and optimizes daylight penetration. The volumes of the towers, with their subtle kinks and shifts, create unique spatial and visual relationships."

“Bringing a mixed-use project into this financial district will not only enliven the area during daytime, but it will also introduce evening programs and create an essential form of social sustainability to this part of the city. The introduction of the residential and the leisure components are key to this strategy," UNStudio's Ben van Berkel stated. "This sculptural family of towers will also create the suggestion of a cohesive neighborhood within the skyline and emphasize the importance of this part of the city within the whole.”

In the coming months, the winning scheme will undergo further qualification processes. Construction is expected to start in the coming year, with the first building scheduled to be in use by 2020.

While more visuals of UNStudio's proposal are yet to be released, the concept of the new development and its official name are expected to be publicly presented in May. The proposals from all the participating architects in the competition will also be showcased.

Have a look at more of UNStudio's recent projects in the links right below.