Dutch architectural firm, UNStudio, has been named the winner of the mixed-use Düsseldorf competition — an international sustainable design contest held in Germany.
The winning design titled New Heart will be built at Hans-Böckler-Strasse 37-39 in Kennedydamm, Düsseldorf — a city that will undergo significant transitions in the coming years.
New Heart is a sustainable project that will feature two tall iconic buildings surrounding a community centre.
Its overall design prioritises accessibility, individuality and diversity as it features a broad mix of uses on its 10,000 square metres site.
With its incorporation of offices, residential areas, recreational spaces and entertainment hub, the development has been thoughtfully planned to satisfy the future needs of an urban and sustainable city.
The proposal states that New Heart will enable enhanced ventilation and wind comfort, serving as a contrast to the cluster of surrounding high-rise buildings.
The building’s concept enables significant carbon dioxide savings of approximately 34 per cent, an energy generating structure with integrated PV surfaces with prefabricated, recyclable and circular façade modules.
UNStudio has also developed a future-oriented, sustainable and innovative energy supply concept 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.
An indoor climate concept has also been proposed, offering the highest level of comfort and flexibility with its energy and area-efficient design.
The competition’s jury, which consisted of members of the awarding body, representatives from administration and politics as well as independent experts, unanimously agreed that: “UNStudio’s design creates an architecturally outstanding and identity-forming project in a central location. The vision includes a mix of uses that, in addition to office and residential, also includes multifunctional uses in the community pavilion – the so-called Urban Hub – and on the upper floors, which will be partially accessible to the public. In the future, the users of the quarter will be able to organise their daily lives centrally in one place, as the offer will also include gastronomy, medical services, sports, fitness, a mobility hub, day care centre, local supply as well as cultural offers or edutainment. Placing the residents in the centre of the agenda, the project will meet future requirements for working, living and housing conditions.”
New Heart also aims to create a vibrant public area that is accessible to residents as well as visitors, with its inclusion of wide terraces and balconies, a city park, a big neighborhood square, alongside its new centre.
UNStudio Founder and Principal Architect Ben van Berkel said: “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.”