At first glance, the latest renderings released by the Bjarke Ingels-led architecture practice BIG of a skyscraper in Frankfurt seems like the typical, rectangular office building. But then the eye travels to the center of the building, and the tower looks more like the early rounds of a game of Jenga.
Square volumes stacked askew on top of each other seems to be the typology that the firm is keen on using lately: The feature will show prominently in the New York City skyline if BIG's Two World Trade Center design is built.
According to Architect’s Journal UK, the tower in Frankfurt will be 185 meters tall and will house offices, residential units, and public terraces. "By gently shifting the floorplates of the simple elegant volume, the tower incorporates all the elements of a real city: spaces for living and working, inside as well as outside," Ingels told Dezeen. The building in total will be 65,000 sm.
The levels in the middle of the tower that shift outward create terraces and outdoor space for the apartments.
“The tower is located in the center of [Frankfurt’s] mix between tall and low,” a statement from the firm says. “Its design reacts to the constraints and potential of the different programs housed within.”
Austrian engineering firm Bollinger + Grohmann is partnering with BIG to complete the scheme. The building is scheduled for completion in 2018.
Related Stories
| Dec 21, 2011
BBI key to Philly high-rise renovation
The 200,000 sf building was recently outfitted with a new HVAC system and a state-of-the-art window retrofitting system.
| Dec 19, 2011
Chicago’s Aqua Tower wins international design award
Aqua was named both regional and international winner of the International Property Award as Best Residential High-Rise Development.
| Dec 14, 2011
Belfer Research Building tops out in New York
Hundreds of construction trades people celebrate reaching the top of concrete structure for facility that will accelerate treatments and cures at world-renowned institution.
| Dec 12, 2011
AIA Chicago announces Skidmore, Owings & Merrill as 2011 Firm of the Year
SOM has been a leader in the research and development of specialized technologies, new processes and innovative ideas, many of which have had a palpable and lasting impact on the design profession and the physical environment.
| Dec 2, 2011
What are you waiting for? BD+C's 2012 40 Under 40 nominations are due Friday, Jan. 20
Nominate a colleague, peer, or even yourself. Applications available here.
| Nov 22, 2011
Suffolk Construction selected as contractor for Boston luxury residential tower
Project team breaks ground on 488,000-sf building that will feature world-class amenities.
| Nov 15, 2011
Suffolk Construction breaks ground on the Victor housing development in Boston
Project team to manage construction of $92 million, 377,000 square-foot residential tower.
| Oct 20, 2011
Johnson Controls appoints Wojciechowski to lead real estate and facilities management business for Global Technology sector
Wojciechowski will be responsible for leading the continued growth of the technology vertical market, while building on the expertise the company has developed serving multinational technology companies.
| Oct 18, 2011
Michel Bruneau wins 2012 AISC T.R. Higgins Award
The AISC T.R. Higgins Lectureship Award is presented annually by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) and recognizes an outstanding lecturer and author whose technical paper(s) are considered an outstanding contribution to the engineering literature on fabricated structural steel.
| Oct 12, 2011
Vertical Transportation Systems Reach New Heights
Elevators and escalators have been re-engineered to help building owners reduce energy consumption and move people more efficiently.