The subject matter of this term paper is a description as well as an interpretation of the “Commerzbank Headquarters” in Frankfurt which was built by Norman Foster. First I will say a few words about Norman Foster and his works and afterwards about the background of the Commerzbank. In the main part I want to concentrate on the Commerzbank in Frankfurt with its structure and how this “green” skyscraper works. Norman Foster was born in Manchester in 1935. In 1961 after his final degree at the School of Architecture and City Planning at the University of Manchester, he was given a bursary of the University of Yale where he finished his studies with a master’s degree in architecture. In 1963 he formed the “Team 4”, together with his colleague and friend Richard Rogers. Four years later they split off and went separate ways. Foster founded “Foster Associates” which was later renamed in “Foster and Partners”. He was knighted in 1990 and appointed to the Order of Merit in 1997. In 1999 he was created a life peer. Foster has received more than 190 awards and citations for his projects and has won over 50 national and international competitions. The Commerzbank Tower, at 300 meters tall, is one of the tallest buildings in Europe and the tallest naturally ventilated building in the world. The German political and social environment played a big role in the development of the design for this building. Frankfurt's "Green Party" strongly encouraged Commerzbank's new structure to be ,obviously, “green”. The aim was to create a revolutionary high rise, a high rise that would be both environmentally and people friendly. This building would also have to be a landmark for a town committed to building towers that symbolize hope for a future as a key European financial centre while providing space for about 2600 employees. In order to fulfil these requirements and still create green architecture, Norman Foster had to redesign the concept the skyscraper itself. Some of the ideas which were realized in Frankfurt had their roots in earlier works done by Foster. Back in 1971 he tried to integrate nature into an office building. “Willis Faber & Dumas” with its roof garden was his first building where he combined a garden with an office building. A few years later the “Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank” Headquarters was envisioned to have “gardens in the sky”, but this idea was never realized.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Structure
3. Cladding
4. Ventilation
5. Conclusion
6. Bibliography
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the design, construction, and environmental functionality of the Commerzbank Headquarters in Frankfurt, designed by architect Norman Foster. The primary objective is to analyze how the building integrates "green" architectural principles into a large-scale skyscraper to enhance energy efficiency and the quality of the working environment.
- Architectural background and design philosophy of Norman Foster.
- Structural engineering and the implementation of a hollow triangular plan.
- Technical approaches to facade cladding and natural ventilation systems.
- Integration of sky gardens as both structural and social elements.
- Assessment of the building's energy-saving performance and environmental impact.
Excerpt from the Book
2. The Structure
Essentially the Commerzbank tower is a hollow tube standing on one of its ends. The vertical loads are concentrated at the outer walls of the building with the intention that the structural footprint can be as large as possible. This special shape is by law of nature very stable and is able to resist horizontal wind loads. But this tube had to be perforated by the large openings of the gardens and, of course, by the windows. The entire architectural concept is based on these four-storey-high openings which run from the façade to the central core of the building. Because of the spiral arrangement of the gardens, the construction remains constantly solid. To keep the gardens free from columns the vertical forces have to be moved to the corners of the triangular plan. For that reason the structure consists of two main elements, namely the corner columns and the eight-storey-high steel structures which span across the gardens. These structures, which are bridge-like, have two main functions. On the one hand, they are able to hold the floors, and on the other hand, they can resist wind loads.
Chapter Summary
1. Introduction: This chapter provides an overview of Norman Foster's career and introduces the Commerzbank Headquarters as a pioneering "green" skyscraper in Frankfurt.
2. Structure: The section details the engineering challenges of the building's hollow triangular form, focusing on load distribution and the integration of sky gardens.
3. Cladding: This chapter discusses the four distinct types of facade cladding used to manage natural light, insulation, and the unique functional requirements of different building sections.
4. The Ventilation: This chapter analyzes the building's "mixed mode" ventilation system, which utilizes natural airflow, double-skin facades, and automated environmental controls to reduce energy consumption.
5. Conclusion: This chapter summarizes the building's success as a landmark for sustainable architecture and its influence on future skyscraper design.
6. Bibliography: This section lists the academic sources, architectural texts, and digital resources utilized for this research.
Keywords
Norman Foster, Commerzbank Headquarters, Green Architecture, Skyscraper, Sustainable Design, Structural Engineering, Ventilation, Cladding, Sky Gardens, Frankfurt, Energy Efficiency, Triangular Plan, Facade, Environmental Control, Office Design
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this paper?
The paper focuses on the Commerzbank Headquarters in Frankfurt, analyzing its architectural design, its unique structural properties, and its status as a revolutionary environmentally friendly skyscraper.
What are the central thematic areas covered?
The core themes include the architectural evolution of high-rises, the application of "green" technology, and the reconciliation of large-scale commercial office space with natural environments.
What is the main goal of the research?
The goal is to explore how Norman Foster successfully implemented ecological design features in a large office tower to improve efficiency and worker comfort.
Which scientific or analytical method is used?
The author employs a descriptive and interpretative method, examining architectural documentation, structural design concepts, and environmental control strategies to evaluate the building's performance.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body treats the building's structural framework, the specific technological solutions for the facade cladding, and the complex natural and mechanical ventilation systems.
Which keywords best describe the work?
Key terms include Norman Foster, green architecture, structural engineering, ventilation systems, sky gardens, and sustainable design.
How do the sky gardens contribute to the building's function?
The sky gardens act as both social spaces for employees and vital elements for natural ventilation, bringing daylight and fresh air into the interior of the building.
How is the "mixed mode" ventilation system described?
The "mixed mode" system intelligently switches between natural ventilation (via windows and atriums) and mechanical cooling, depending on external weather conditions and temperature requirements.
- Quote paper
- Esther Rieck (Author), 2006, The Commerzbank Headquarters by Norman Foster, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/50766
