Norddeutsche Landesbank Head Office

The building occupies an entire city block and serves as an important linking element between the various activities which define the neighbouring quarters of the city: retail, commercial, residential, cultural, sport and leisure. Through varying heights, a building emerges which gently integrates itself in the existing fabric of the city. In accordance with urban-planning guidelines of 4 to 6 storeys, the shallowplan perimeter building is aligned with the existing streets, complementing the pattern and scale of its surroundings. From the exterior it resembles the traditional city block, whilst at its centre, protected from the noise of the heavily trafficked streets, lies the heart of the complex, a large, public courtyard. This courtyard is characterized, but not dominated, by the daily operations of the bank itself and further enlivened by shops, restaurants, cafés, large reflecting pools, extensive landscaping and public art (text from architect's website).