Building for the community. A new heart for Düsseldorf by UNStudio
09/09/2023.
[Düsseldorf] Germany
metalocus, ANTONIO CORREDERA
metalocus, ANTONIO CORREDERA
Description of project by UNStudio
"We are delighted that our proposal has been selected for this key location in Dusseldorf. Our design is not only highly sustainable and healthy for the people who will live, work and visit, it also supports a highly diverse mix of functions that will enliven the site around the clock and add a cultural edge to this area of the city. It will truly celebrate the connecting power of culture and high-quality public space."
Ben van Berkel, Founder and Principal Architect, UNStudio.
The New Heart proposal
The proposed New Heart development is located directly on the Kennedydamm, in a unique location in Düsseldorf that is set to undergo major changes in the coming years. The new quarter will become an area with which both the users and the population of the city can equally identify. Accessibility, individuality and diversity form the cornerstones of the sustainable urban planning and architectural strategy. The design for the project therefore aims to set an important impulse, not only in this key urban quarter, but also for the entire district.
Providing a lively green heart for the district
Differentiating itself from nearby single towers on Düsseldorf's city skyline, the New Heart project is arranged as two tall, slender towers encircling a community centre. This massing enables enhanced ventilation and wind comfort while contrasting with the cluster of high-rise buildings on Kennedydamm, thus creating a clear centre for the neighbourhood. Deep balconies and terraces, a public park, a generous neighbourhood square and the inclusion of a community centre create a lively public space offering space for temporary events and opening the site to residents and visitors alike.
Axonometry. New Heart on the Block by UNStudio.
A highly sustainable development
UNStudio’s proposal has been designed to be highly sustainable and future-proof. It demonstrates high and comprehensive sustainability standards and a tailored approach to technology use and smart design for natural resources.
This includes a sustainable structure concept that enables significant CO2 savings of approx. 34%, an energy-generating facade with integrated PV surfaces, alongside prefabricated, recyclable and circular facade modules.
A future-oriented, sustainable and innovative energy supply concept has also been developed that includes the use of geothermal heating and cooling, district heating supply, PV as both a roof and facade system and E-mobility charging infrastructure.
In addition, an indoor climate concept has been proposed that offers the highest level of comfort and flexibility with an energy and area-efficient design.
Axonometry. New Heart on the Block by UNStudio.
Creating connections
The aim of the open space design within the proposal is to promote spatial links within the surroundings and create spaces in which residents, visitors and those who work in the office tower can come together. For this reason, In UNStudio’s design, the bridge spanning the Kennedydamm has also been extended into the project, creating an experience path on the first floor that connects all the buildings with each other. This enables improved connection to the city of Düsseldorf and facilitates access to the surrounding areas.
Community centre and the mobility hub
The community centre offers a wide range of cultural, gastronomic, leisure and social activities and forms the central social place for the entire neighbourhood. The facades, which can be opened up over a large area, along with terraces and roofscapes, create space for togetherness and access for all.
In addition, a mobility hub extends over three storeys of the office tower. This hub connects the pedestrian bridge on the first floor with the bicycle highway on the ground floor and the neighbourhood garage on the first basement floor and offers space for a wide variety of special shared mobility devices.
UNStudio, founded in 1988 by Ben van Berkel and Caroline Bos, is a Dutch architectural design studio specialising in architecture, interior architecture, product design, urban development and infrastructural projects. The name, UNStudio, stands for United Network Studio referring to the collaborative nature of the practice.
Throughout 30 years of international project experience, UNStudio has continually expanded its capabilities through prolonged collaboration with an extended network of international consultants, partners, and advisors across the globe. This network, combined with the centrally located offices in Amsterdam, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Frankfurt, enables UNStudio to work efficiently anywhere in the world. With already 120 built projects in Asia, Europe, and North America, the studio continues to expand its global presence with recent commissions in among others China, South-Korea, Qatar, Germany and the UK.
As a network practice, a highly flexible methodological approach has been developed which incorporates parametric designing and collaborations with leading specialists in other disciplines. The office has worked internationally since its inception and has produced a wide range of work ranging from public buildings, infrastructure, offices, residential, products, to urban masterplans.
Current projects include the design for Doha's Integrated Metro Network in Qatar, the mixed-use FOUR development in Frankfurt, the wasl Tower in Dubai and the Southbank by Beulah development in Melbourne. Pivotal realised projects include the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Arnhem Central Station, Raffles City Hangzhou in China, the Mobius House in the Netherlands and the Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam. UNStudio has received many awards, the last ones being Red Dot Award product design (2013), Media Architecture Award (2012), National Steel Prize (2012) and 28th International Lighting Design Awards Collector’s Loft (2012).