04.10.2023 | First prize for a new landmark in the south of Düsseldorf
Urban planning competition for the Witzelstraße high-rise building
Last week, a jury of experts chaired by Ferdinand Heide awarded sop architekten the joint first prize for the redesign of a high-rise building on Witzelstrasse in Düsseldorf Bilk. The aim of the competition, organised by developer CUBE Real Estate and in cooperation with the City of Düsseldorf, was to design a high-rise office building that would take into account the different climate and building challenges and create a new architectural landmark at this prominent junction in the south of Düsseldorf.
The building’s slender and rounded silhouette, reminiscent of New York’ iconic flat-iron building, integrates well with the surrounding five-storey residential buildings. On one side the building steps upwards with large planted terrasses and on the other it forms an “urban” edge that runs south towards the road. The transparent façade gives the building a more open feel, especially on the ground floor where public spaces will include a restaurant, café, market hall, stepped seating and small shops.