FRANKFURT 5x5 JETZT ZEIT HAUS
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Provocative architectural statement by 3deluxe within the 5x5 JetztZeitHäuser exhibition in the Frankfurt Historical Museum.
The redesign of a larger inner-city area with a historic context is generally a big challenge, and very seldom do we see successful examples. We do not claim to have a universal solution. Our entry to the 5x5 JetztZeitHäuser exhibition is intended to serve as a thought-provoking impulse for the planned development of the Dom-Römer-area.
We in Europe – as opposed, for instance, to the USA – are blessed with an abundance of historical building stock. We should consider ourselves lucky. In our opinion, the creation of artificial historical buildings, especially in the vicinity of the original, devaluates the real historic architecture.
We adore Las Vegas, we love the artificial, but is this the way for Frankfurt?
Will the Japanese tourist be able to understand that the Dom is historical, but the “Goldene Waage” is not?
Is this doing our own cultural self-conception any favour?
Is authenticity of such little value?
The mix of historic reconstruction and moderately modern construction with formal references fro the Middle Ages surely is the most inconsequent solution of all.
There are enough examples of German city centres showing that plans like these usually end in bourgeois dreariness.
Even the commendable initiative of the initiators of JetztZeitHaus to enrich the current plans of the city’s urban development department with five modern drafts does not make the overall concept any better. At best, it can serve as an impulse for discussion.
The propensity towards historicism probably originates from the fact that modern cities and architectures are felt to be cold and bleak by a lot of people. This is a challenge that architects should accept over and over again. In addition to architects, though, owners and municipal committees contribute to new architecture and city planning seeming dispirited at times.
If architecture is part of our culture, then it reflects only our momentary abilities and possibilities. It cannot be accepted that we cannot seem to find contemporary solutions to contemporary problems and should have to resort to “the good old times”.
We should be a lot more daring.
And we should let things happen.
About our building:
Our concept presents a provoking statement about the development of the Römer, but at the same time is trying to say: More courage!
For our concept we took as a starting point the formal characteristics that seemed relevant to us and that made the development of the Römerberg special in our eyes. These aren’t the usual gutter, ridge and socket height, roof pitch, window measurements or site-specific materials. It is rather a high degree of individualisation and design that far exceeds the functional and the necessary.
That is what impresses us and what corresponds to 3deluxe’s approach to design.
Our building concept is intended to seem artificial and modern and yet sympathetic.
It may be somewhat irritaional and emotional, aspects that are often unfamiliar to the world of architects.
We want to re-discover the love for modern detail.
| Type | Exhibition |
| Location | Frankfurt, Germany |
| Status | Completed |
| Client | Independent work |
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