The perfect symbiosis between working and living spaces
Frankfurt Airport, a major European flight hub, is home to Lufthansa's new home base - the Lufthansa Aviation Center. This functionally and formally impressive office building with its fine economic and ecological credentials is where corporate policy is thrashed out. The colossal, elongated structure is encased in glass and, despite its huge volume, derives vibrancy from its arcade-type shell-roof sections whilst also evoking the nearby hangars.
The offices of Ingenhoven Architects in Düsseldorf pioneered a planning concept whereby modules can be added at will, thus making the scheme future-proof. The Lufthansa Aviation Center is a clear expression of commitment by Lufthansa to the Frankfurt location and the Rhine-Main region. It is, moreover, an excellent illustration of the feats of modern office construction. High workplace quality, elegant office design and an ecologically-driven approach to building testify to the company's exclusivity, something the building represents down to the last detail.
The wholly harmonious architectural concept for the Group's HQ is further proof of the professionalism of Lufthansa AG. Ever since Lufthansa implemented the ideas developed by Otl Aicher, one of the most important advocates of Modern Design, in the early 1960s, the airline has had a global reputation for being a model enterprise with regard to its systematically evolved public image. The architectural plans for the Lufthansa Aviation Center accordingly drew on the goal of documenting Lufthansa's identity and culture whilst also creating a physical landmark for the Group that could not be missed. It is also possible, therefore, to see the transparent structure as a kind of symbol both of how open to the world flying is and of a gearing towards humanitarian values.
The challenge facing the architects concerned combining an efficient office structure with an open living space conducive to communication and the exchange of ideas. They achieved this by designing bright, fully glazed offices and, above all, by laying glass-enclosed courtyard gardens between the office units. Pervading the internal courtyards is a sense of tranquillity and moderation that filters through to the office spaces when the windows are open. Nine gardens stocked with flora from a number of continents offer relaxation and recreation together with a positive feeling for space. Fascinatingly conceived full-height conservatories recreate everything from a white-sand beach from the Australian outback to a Japanese Zen garden and the Alpine Lakes of northern Italy, very much in keeping with the internationalism of this airline company. The gardens additionally have an ecological function as the building's lungs. Covered by a transparent glass structure, they keep heat, cold and noise at bay. Natural materials such as timber make for a congenial ambience.
A passage acts as a central artery linking all vertical and horizontal routes in the building and thus also forms a communications infrastructure. Located along it are "meeting points" for staff hospitality that double up as seating and standing areas for sojourn purposes. This communication area constitutes the point of transition between office atmosphere and public zone. Furnishings, fitments and technical components were devised by the architects to accord with the needs of the Lufthansa workforce in every detail. Underpinning the materials and qualities selected is the quest for sustainable, lastingly compelling solutions.
The same criteria informed the decision to use the FSB 1078 door handle, the FSB 0688 handle for narrow-frame doors, FSB 3778 window handles, FSB 3878 door stops, FSB 4220 glass door hardware, the "ht round" pull-bar kit and FSB 7980 panic crossbar furniture in Stainless Steel. The door and window handles are examples of Christoph Ingenhoven's own work that have been incorporated into the FSB range and consciously borrow from the FSB 1076 model. The fittings chosen directly correlate in terms of form and finish to the various fitments in stainless steel around them, elegantly and unpushily blending in with the overall scheme as a result. Ingenhoven Architects appreciate the neutrality and breadth of the FSB products used.
Photos: H.G. Esch, Hennef
