The design for the new building on Opernplatz in Frankfurt asserts itself with an independent statement in the special urban planning situation resulting from the opulence of the historic ‘Alte Oper’, the dominance of the adjacent high-rise architecture and the prominence of the city centre location.
The new office and retail building resembles a picture puzzle that conveys a different degree of solidity depending on the perspective: the changing shape and dimensions of the façade supports create the impression that they dissolve completely towards the bottom. The façade has an elegant and delicate appearance; despite its powerful expression, it appears open and transparent.
In terms of depth, the façades respond differently to the urban setting: from a balcony design facing the central opera square, they transform into a purely spatial recess at the sides. This sculptural design follows in the tradition of historic buildings and, translated into a contemporary form, creates a dialogue between old and new.
The colour scheme of the precast concrete elements, which matches that of the Alte Oper, supports this principle. Translucent curtains on the exterior create a connection to the opera stage. In the attic, the recessed structure creates a spacious roof terrace that can be used in a variety of ways.
Competition:
Specialist planners:
Knippers Helbig Advanced Engineering, Stuttgart (Structural design)
Transsolar Energietechnik GmbH, Munich (Building services)
Matthes Max Modellbau GmbH, Munich (Model making)
Visualization:
Artefactorylab, Paris