DFB Deutschland Fussball Bund

The project was shortlisted to the First Phase of the DFB Deutscher Fussball-Bund competition alongside Zaha Hadid, CoopHimmelb(l)au, COBE, Shultz&Shultz, Kadawittfeldarchitektur and other teams. TO SEE AND BEING SEEN The different functions were gathered together in one building that “embraces” the football fields and evokes the stadium architecture. A vast view to Frankfurt’s skyline opens up from all levels and functions. The DFB academy stands out among the city’s skyscrapers like a sign in the landscape. THE TRAJECTORY OF THE SOCCER BALL DETERMINES THE GREAT SHAPE OF THE ACADEMY AND THE DFB HEADQUARTERS ON THE OLD RIDING TRACK TRAIL Thanks to the landscape deformation, the building appears as a vast stadium and creates a strong urban landmark. Its shape immediately shows the function and gives rise to a clear and compact identity. GATHERING AND COMMUNICATION All functions are gathered in one building and are accessed from the main entrance. All levels and spaces look to the sport fields and to the Frankfurt skyline at the background. At all levels the free distribution and the generous circulation areas favor the communication and the group identity. The foyer is the representative element of the entire building. It develops as a inner plaza on all levels. At the lower levels a great amount of space is destined to the public areas that diminishes moving upwards, the building becomes more private and the meetings happen in the directional offices.