For the past several months, travellers and commuters arriving at Duisburg Central Station and making their way into the city centre have encountered a striking architectural statement: Mercator One. This new building marks a distinctive gateway to the city. Hadi Teherani Architects won the design competition in 2017 with an exceptional vision. The approximately 2,000 m² development at Portsmouthplatz is based on the master plan for the city centre created by the internationally acclaimed Norman Foster office.

At approximately 100 metres long, 17 metres wide, and 26 metres high, the building commands attention through its distinctive fan-shaped façade at both ends. From within, the building's staggered profile and angled ends frame intriguing, ever-changing views of the city. White linear lighting traces the fan-like pattern on the exterior, shifting colour according to occasion, while the anthracite cladding ensures the structure maintains a refined presence despite its bold geometry. The façade's sustainability story is equally compelling: Wicone's Wictec system features Hydro Circal aluminium—a recycled, low-carbon alloy comprising at least 75% end-of-life material from demolition and scrap. This positions Mercator One as a pioneering benchmark project in Germany. The 1,200 m² ground floor, with its generous ceiling height, is devoted to gastronomy and retail. Restaurants and cafés spill onto the redesigned Portsmouthplatz, activating the public realm. Above, flexible office floors benefit from strategically positioned stairwells in the central core, creating workspace around the perimeter. Entrance lobbies, lift halls, and stairwells showcase raw materials—concrete, steel, glass, stone, wood, and colour—in their purest form. The sixth floor reveals a highlight: a spacious roof terrace densely planted with greenery. A two-level basement garage accommodates 126 vehicles with 22 EV charging stations, 50 bicycle spaces, plus technical and storage areas. Triple-glazed solar protection and state-of-the-art hybrid ceiling systems—featuring integrated lighting, heating, cooling, and fresh air distribution—deliver enhanced acoustics and exceptional energy efficiency, achieving heat recovery rates exceeding 80%.

www.haditeherani.com/de

Photography Credits:

Jörg Hempel
www.joerg-hempel.com
Jochen Stüber
www.jochenstueber.de
Olaf Rohl
www.olaf-rohl.de

(From CUBE Ruhrgebiet 03|21)