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Westhafen Bridge Building
Westhafenplatz 8, Frankfurt
2001 - 2003
At the Westhafen in Frankfurt Schneider + Schumacher realized an ensemble consisting of three buildings in the years 2001-2003. Of the three buildings, the so-called Bridge Building refers most obviously to the former usage as an industrial port. In accordance with his name, the building is spanning the level difference between Westhafenplatz and Mainufer at the site of a former watergate. At the same time the elevated longitudinal volume, positioned transverse to the direction of the river flow, highlightes the termination of the riverbank park towards the harbor. The restaurant with terrace overlooking the marina gets a special meaning here. The building is characterized by robust materials such as exposed concrete, steel columns and metallic gray coated facade sheets. Together with the protruding barrel roof the five-story building receives a quite abrasive appearance, reminiscent of sheds and containers. The dynamic impression of the facade is based on the triangular structure with its V-supports. The facades follow the constructive logic of the structure. Open and closed triangles on the longitudinal facades contrast with the large glass areas in the north and south.