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Project: Westhafenbar im Rahmen der LUMINALE 2004, Frankfurt a.M. / Germany
Special Merit Award of Category "Hotel"
The building at Westhafenplatz 8 is one of three that will form the starter core of the new Westhafen district in Frankfurt am Main. While each of the three buildings stands alone as a separate entity, all three exist in a clearly defined spatial relationship. A plaza will occupy the connecting space between the three structures, while at the same time important sightlines relating the harbour basin to the city's main traffic arteries will be kept clear.
The 100 m high Westhafen Tower serves as a landmark for the new city district. The medieval towers at Frankfurt's old city gates are all round towers, and the cylindrical shape of the new tower alludes to this heritage. But the form was also chosen for aerodynamic reasons, because it creates very little resistance to the natural movement of air along the course of the river Main. The "Brückengebäude" or "Bridge Building" at Westhafen 8, where our office is located, stands at an angle to the Main - a clear visual caesura that marks the end of the green space coming from the east and the beginning of the adjoining residential development in the harbour basin. The name "Bridge Building" needs little explanation, as the structure spans the former lock system for the Westhafen exactly like a bridge. The third building in the complex (the "Westhafenhaus") stands like the prow of a ship at the start of the adjoining residential development in the harbour basin. This background information is necessary in order to understand the very distinctive design of the Bridge Building in relation to its context.
The triangular windows, as already mentioned, are a product of the structural (load-bearing) function of the two long side walls. This shape has proved to be very effective in terms of lighting the studio spaces effectively while minimizing solar gain. The generous width of glass in the upper part of the window ensures the maximum incidence of light (similar to an all-glazed façade), even though only some 45% of the façade area is glass. And although the windows narrow almost to a point at the bottom, the occupants still enjoy an uninterrupted view down from the building to the ground below. For ventilation the windows are raised by electric motor, and consequently they keep the rain out even when open. Motorized triangular blinds are fitted to provide shade and cut down glare. The unusual shape of the windows and the way the building is angled towards the river create the impression that it is actually standing in the water. The work areas beneath the barrel-shaped roof are constructed on two levels. The lower floor (2/3 of the available space) is used for work on projects in progress. The gallery area is intended more for creative thinking and brainstorming sessions, and one of its main uses is for the preparation of competition entries. The two levels are linked by an internal staircase. The space beneath the gallery is occupied by the reception area, conference rooms, kitchenette and the copy/print room.
The workspace layout is different on each level, the principle of organization being dictated by the logic of the work process and of the space itself. The lower floor has desks placed at an angle to the windows, with room for two people to work at each desk. In between is a filing table, where trainees and students can work temporarily if necessary.
