Technical Administration Building (TVG)
A City in Green
  • Location
    Düsseldorf
  • Project
    New construction of the Technical Administration Building in Düsseldorf
  • Procedure
    Non-open two-phase design competition (tendering procedure), 4th prize
  • Client
    IPM Immobilien Projekt Management Düsseldorf GmbH, in cooperation with the state capital Düsseldorf
  • Architect of record
    Caspar Schmitz-Morkramer
  • Technical building equipment
    Drees & Sommer
  • Structural engineering
    Werner Sobek
  • Fire protection
    hhp Berlin
  • Landscape architecture
    studio grüngrau
  • Planning period
    2022
  • Visualizations
    caspar.;
    Lindenkreuz Eggert;
    Paul Trakies

In the competition for Düsseldorf’s new Technische Verwaltungsgebäude (Technical Administration Building, TVG), our vision was to create a building that fosters open communication and enriches the daily lives of employees and citizens. Our design is user-friendly, flexible, and robust, showcasing how the city works while embracing social and ecological sustainability and viewing the city, its people, and nature as a cohesive unit. Stylistically, our approach draws inspiration from the city’s modernist heritage. The ensemble consists of a four-story base housing all public functions, topped by a 110-meter tower. A central atrium features a sculptural spiral staircase connecting the base and tower, opening the building to both Moskauer Strasse and the IHZ Park at the rear. Our proposal was honored with fourth place in the second phase of the competition.

Green in the third dimension

The organization of the floor plans within the TVG is designed for easy orientation and navigation throughout the building. The key functional areas for working, communication, meeting, and dining/canteen, along with spaces for social or cultural activities, are clearly separated while fostering an “open house” atmosphere throughout the ensemble. To maximize the potential of urban greenery, our design integrates roof gardens, courtyards, and a year-round green facade starting at the base and rising 70 meters high. A standout feature is the dynamic facade greening, with plants specifically chosen for sun and wind exposure on each side of the building, providing habitats for biodiversity and helping to regulate the microclimate, enhancing the well-being of people in the area.

Durable and adaptable

For the 28 high-rise levels, we envision a modern and adaptable work environment that meets the need for communicative and healthy workplaces with access to the outdoors on every floor. The layout can be easily modified to accommodate diverse current and future usage scenarios and occupancy configurations. We carefully coordinated architecture, facade design, and building technology to achieve maximum user comfort with minimum energy consumption. The building envelope features high insulation to reduce energy needs, while rooftop solar panels generate approximately 40 % of the energy required. Daylight is maximized throughout the space, complemented by an effective sun protection system. We also prioritize individual environmental controls and internal energy synergies wherever possible. The modular C2C timber-concrete hybrid construction is optimized for structural efficiency and incorporates concentrated vertical service cores. This allows for flexible planning and usage, making it easy to adapt the building to changing needs and future repurposing.

 

Project team