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ZIPPER - RKM740 Tower, a skyscraper with a dynamic, organic-looking shape

J.MAYER.H und Partner, Architekten MBB

Mixed Use  /  Completed
J.MAYER.H und Partner, Architekten MBB

The dynamic, organic-looking shape of the skyscraper recedes upward into a light volume. The concept of the curtain wall, perforated metal façade allows for a soft dynamic progression of open and closed areas. To the east, south and west, the undulating envelope opens generously to provide shading and wind protection. To the north, the façade closes against the traffic noise of the urban highway. Like a zipper, the transitions between open and closed are fluid and allowed for flexible adaptation throughout the long development process.

With this project we show that hybrid high-rise buildings belong to the new generation of mixed-use concepts in Europe as well. A combination of commercial and residential uses enriches the Duesseldorf-Heerdt district and has the potential to change the way people live together in the city. The type of mixed use generates synergy effects at this location that give the existing hospital supraregional significance.

The curtain wall consists of brown powdered smooth sheets as the actual weather shell. In front of this are perforated, white varying corrugated sheets. These perforated sheets in the facade cladding eliminated sound-acoustic problems such as disturbing wind noise.The development of the support bracket that can accommodate the sheet metal façade, the all-glass railings and the sliding glass system was very demanding. Extensive design and structural engineering processes were used to determine the final shape.The façade elements were parameterized so that the approximately 4,500 different corrugations, which all differ in projection, cutout size, depth, leg length and height, could be sensibly recorded and output in machine-processable data.

The unique wide panoramic view over the Rhine and Düsseldorf characterizes the design of the building.

In recent years, increasing urban density has led to new kinds of hybrid high rises. Our project ZIPPER is part of the latest generation of these mixed-use concepts. The project combines various medical practices and residences on the former park grounds of Dominikus-Krankenhaus in Düsseldorf-Heerdt. The synergy effects thus achieved with comprehensive health grant the existing hospital transregional importance as the “prototype of a hospital for the future.”Right on the Rhine, a new campus combining housing and health facilities is being erected on the former park on the grounds of Dominikus-Krankenhaus, a hospital in Dusseldorf-Heerdt. The hybrid high-rise Zipper is the striking emblem of this transformation, visible from afar. J.MAYER.H was the winner of the international design competition for this joint residential and health unit.

We consider the close combination of residential use with a high degree of flexibility and medical-oriented commerce with a synergistic connection to the existing hospital operations to be a complete success, both functionally and in terms of design.

Credits

 Duesseldorf
 Germany
 RKM Tower GmbH & Co. KG
 Medical practices and residence
 10/2022
 22000 sq. m
 Confidential
 J.MAYER.H
 Jürgen Mayer H., Andre Santer,Dr. Paul Angelier, Ana I. Alonso, Lilly Czok, Isabell Fogden, Matthias Gotter, Max Margorskyi, Anna Pidhorna, Marta Ramirez Iglesias, Paul Rindt, Christine Rosemann, Jens Seiffert
 GWI / MOD21, Duesseldorf
 Architect on site: Höhler + Partner Architekten und Beratende Ingenieure PartGmbB, Aachen / Structural Engineers: AWD Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH, Köln / Building Services: Ingenieurbüro Liebert, Berlin, LP 2-3, Winter Ingenieure, Hamburg, mit ibb-Burrer&Deuring Electrical Engineers, Berlin, LP 3-8, Ingenieurbüro Buss, Ahaus, LP 5-8 (Penthouse, Community Center)
 / Building Physics and Acoustics: Santer Bauphysik, Duisburg / Facade Planning: a..t..f Fassadentechnik, Frankfurt / Fire Prevention Engineers: Corall Ingenieure GmbH, Meerbusch / Lighting Planners: Lichttransfer, Büro für Lichtplanung, Berlin / Environmental Noise Study: Peutz Consult GmbH, Düsseldorf / Landscape Architects: RMP Stephan Lenzen Landschaftsarchitekten GmbH, Bonn
 David Franck, Lars Gruber

Curriculum

J. MAYER H. und Partner, Architekten mbB is an international award-winning architectural firm with projects at the intersection of architecture, communication, and new technology. From urban planning schemes and buildings, to installation work and objects with new materials, the relationship between the human body, technology, and nature form the background for a new production of space. J. MAYER H. was founded in 1996 by Jürgen Mayer H. in Berlin. In 2014, Andre Santer and Hans Schneider joined as partners in the firm.

https://www.jmayerh.de


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