Germany
- High-Rise
- Mixed Use
- Office
- Residential
- Competition
The project is intended as an extension of the existing cultural space of the Gallus complex. Along a vertical joint that runs from the base to the roof terrace of the high-rise building, a sequence of public and semi-public spaces is created, to which co-working spaces and shared offices are attached. This joint connects the cultural forum, terraces on the base, and viewing platforms in the tower to form a continuous, experiential urban space and becomes the spatial and programmatic backbone of the design. The “vertical passage” structures the large building mass of the office tower, giving it a vertical rhythm and an elegant, lively presence in the cityscape.
The urban planning approach follows the parameters defined in the competition brief, critically reviews them, and expands them in terms of their spatial and functional dimensions. The starting point is the division of the large-volume building mass by a vertical joint that structures the office tower and gives it a clear, elegant silhouette. This joint connects the base, intermediate zones, and roof terrace to form a vertical sequence of public and semi-public spaces—from the Gallus Park to the top of the tower. Along the joint, exit options, balconies, and terraces significantly enhance the offices and workplaces.
They create high-quality outdoor spaces as an attractive alternative to working from home and promote quality of stay, exchange, and relaxation in everyday working life – a significant contribution to the attractiveness of the contemporary working world – a significant contribution to the appeal of the contemporary working world. The design responds to the scale and typology of the surrounding historic buildings along Neckarstraße and Gallusanlage. Deliberate breaks in the base, similar to those found in the historic buildings along Neckarstraße, give rhythm to the volume and create a distinctive entrance to the hotel.
The base is conceived as an independent building block within the ensemble and, through active ground floor zones and transparent facades, enters into a direct dialogue with the public space – in line with the principles of “Eyes on the Street” and the activation of urban ground floor zones.
Competition
11/2025
Project manager
Martin Josst
Project team
Daniela Hensler, Prima Mathawabhan, Ernesto Mulch, Stanislav Subbotin, Thomas Peter-Hindelang, Pascal Marcel Golda
Visualization
Toni Nachev
Model
SCALA MATTA
Modellbau Studio Vienna
CONSULTANTS
Structural engineering
Bollinger+Grohmann
Vienna
Facade planning
Bollinger+Grohmann
Frankfurt
Energy design
Energy Design Cody Consulting GmbH
HVACR/ Electrics
bwk engineers
Belgrade
The design responds to the scale and typology of the surrounding historic buildings along Neckarstraße and Gallusanlage.
floor plan level 00
floor plan level 01
floor plan level 03
floor plan level 05
The ensemble follows the concept of real divisibility: the real divisible combination of residential and hotel tower, office tower, and base form clearly distinguishable building blocks that are functionally and structurally separate but spatially interlinked. This clear structure supports long-term flexibility and adaptability of the units.
The layout is based on the sun exposure and lighting parameters of the site. The residential tower is positioned at the southwestern tip of the design, ensuring optimal sun exposure for the apartments. The hotel tower, which has the same volume but is clearly distinguishable, is compact and efficiently situated, with office and co-working spaces located on the upper floors of the office tower. The base will house the cultural forum, hotel, restaurants, and conference areas, while a sky bar on the top floor of the office tower completes the vertical sequence of public and semi-public spaces.
A key aspect of the design is the optimization of the spacing between buildings and the associated shading of neighboring properties. Targeted recesses and stepped sections in the upper floors of the residential tower, as well as the optimized positioning of the office tower, not only preserve the sightlines within the urban fabric, but also improve the lighting conditions on the adjacent properties. This creates a balanced relationship between density, scale, and urban planning considerations.
The basic urban planning concept of a vertical joint creates a spatially and programmatically coherent structure that combines openness, flexibility, and sustainability. The design thus formulates a forward-looking urban building block ensemble that adds a lively, permeable, and publicly accessible dimension to the dense high-rise structure of Frankfurt‘s city center.
elevation view from gallusanlage
elevation north east
elevation south west
elevation east west
green lungs/ terrace ensamble
pulse/ urban sculpture/ vertical passage
Expansion of the existing cultural space of the Gallus complex into a vertical sequence of public and semi-public communication and recreation rooms. This joint connects the cultural forum, terraces on the base, and viewing platforms in the tower to form a continuous, experiential urban space and becomes the spatial and programmatic backbone of the design.
The green space of the Gallus complex continues in a sequence of horizontal and vertical green and recreational areas from the base terraces to the communal roof areas.
The base is designed as an independent component of the ensemble and enters into direct dialogue with the public space of Neckarstraße via active ground floor areas and transparent facades.
The base is designed as an independent component of the ensemble and, through active ground floor zones and transparent facades, enters into direct dialogue with the public space of Neckarstraße. This activates these urban ground floor zones in line with the “Eyes on the Street” principle.
Model
SCALA MATTA
Modellbau Studio Vienna
