UNStudio wins competition for slender mixed-use towers in Düsseldorf

Described by UNStudio as “two tall, slender towers encircling a community center,” the scheme’s massing has been shaped to address ventilation and wind comfort. Among the ‘outdoor living’ components of the development are deep balconies and terraces, a public park, and a neighborhood square. 

“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,” the team explains.

Inside, the community center holds cultural, food, leisure, and social amenities, with facades that can be opened up over a large area to terraces and roof gardens. Above, a mobility hub extends over three stories of one tower to connect to a wider pedestrian bridge and bicycle highway.

Above, the scheme is divided into a residential tower and an office tower. The residential tower is described as “setting a precedent for an offering of a wide variety of flat types in different contemporary family configurations.” Meanwhile, the office tower is equipped with what UNStudio terms a “special microarchitecture” to order the structure of wide, open office floors with more local functions such as meeting rooms, kitchens, and cloakrooms.

Among the aspects of the scheme area is an energy-generating facade with integrated PV surfaces, alongside prefabricated, recyclable facade modules. The scheme also incorporates geothermal heating and cooling, a district heating supply, and E-mobility charging infrastructure.

“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,” UNStudio founder and principal Ben van Berkel said about the winning scheme. “It will truly celebrate the connecting power of culture and high-quality public space."

In addition to UNStudio, the competition finalists were Hadi Teherani Architects, HPP Architekten, and Ingenhoven associates, who were given equal recognition as second-prize winners. Other competing firms included 3XN, BIG, Büro Ole Scheeren, C. F. Moller Architects, David Chipperfield Architects, and MVRDV.