Every building tells a story. Whether through modernization, comprehensive renovation, conversion, or simply the addition of striking design elements—each construction project adds a new chapter to a building's history. The best transformations preserve that sense of evolution, making it tangible and alive. The "unite82" building is a perfect example: once a stately commercial structure near Opernplatz, its dark, maze-like rooms housed the European headquarters of Misr Bank for years. Today, it's a vibrant modern office space with loft-style character—flooded with daylight through glass partitions and oversized lattice windows, featuring flexible office floors that adapt to changing needs, and anchored by the stylish Salon Dylus storefront on the ground floor.

This turn-of-the-century building, characterized by its distinctive natural stone facade and 1980s renovation elements, has been reimagined and expanded by Badtke Architektur from Bergisch Gladbach. Above all, its prominent yet heavily regulated location in the heart of Frankfurt's financial district presented a significant construction logistics challenge. Structural considerations also played a crucial role. The centerpiece of the renovation is a striking double-storied addition spanning the fifth and sixth floors, featuring two slender, counter-curved steel structures that translate the building's namesake—"unite"—into a distinctive architectural expression, much like two large "U"s tipped on their side. Clad in natural stone and cantilevering diagonally across the facade plane, this twin volume sets the building apart dramatically from its neighbors and transforms it into a visual landmark for the surrounding district. Its flowing forms elegantly continue inside through a sculptural steel staircase rendered in bold color contrast. The dynamic formal language extends to expansive panoramic windows with organically curved contours that open onto outdoor terraces, perfectly framing the breathtaking views of the Frankfurt skyline. While the building gained additional floor space through a courtyard expansion, the fundamental orthogonal structures of the regular floors remain untouched—fully preserved and even further accentuated by the new loft-style mullioned windows. Thus, the addition introduces a contemporary, forward-thinking dimension to the carefully maintained facade. Classical and modern elements merge into harmonious dialogue.

www.badtke.eu

Photos:
Constantin Meyer
www.constantin-meyer.de

(Published in CUBE Frankfurt 04|24)