Administrative buildings

The proposal was made for an ensemble of five high-rise buildings, echoing the structural design of the neighbouring Gutleutkaserne barracks.  The area under development ran diagonally from the main railway station across a generously sized expanse of land between the administrative centre and the Gutleutkaserne barracks.

Five high-rise buildings (tax offices) have been linked to form a block, representing both functional flexibility and a zone of integration.  Long connecting passages and stairwells provide sound insulation for the courtyards aligned towards the railway tracks.

The tax offices can be accessed both from the public space and from Mannheimer Strasse via the courtyards.  The main entrance to the complex is reached by taking a diagonal route across a forecourt, which opens onto the main railway station and the site of what was once to be the ‘campanile’.  The large grassy area which remains features only one solitaire building whose purpose is functional.

When no clear-cut winners emerged from two competitions and the big names failed to produce the goods - Renzo Piano, Gottfried Böhm and James Stirling did not deliver, while other great masters were a resounding failure – a decision was made to award the prize to the most mediocre and nondescript design.

The pros and cons of this questionable tactic of approaching the ‘big names’ have little to choose between them.  Having weighed up the risks, one has had to make do with the lesser evil of failed mediocrity.  But this is still preferable to an execrable stroke of genius.