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Christoph Ingenhoven, Dusseldorf
 A winner of numerous international prizes, Christoph Ingenhoven was recently awarded the prestigious Holcim Gold Award 2006 for his project for Stuttgart's new central station. Linking two, previously separated, districts of the city, this project sets out to give Stuttgart a new emblematic urban framework. The completely underground station and rail tracks make it possible to free up land for building. Ecology and the sophisticated use of technology are at the heart of a truly innovative concept. Indeed, the materials, structures and products have all been chosen with sustainable architecture in mind.
Since 1985, when he started out as an architect at the age of 25, Christoph Ingenhoven has found it only natural to combine his architecture with sustainable development. "That was and remains our architectural approach: sophisticated, transparent and human buildings that are technically interesting and energy efficient". The architect sets great store by ecological concepts and is an expert in the use of glass. The list of projects is long, in Germany, in Europe and overseas, covering governmental and office buildings, company headquarters, high-rises, department stores, industrial buildings, refurbishment, infrastructure and transportation projects, such as airports and railway stations, urban planning and masterplanning.
Ingenhoven Architekten is today a company of around sixty employees working together on projects based on a global approach to ecology, technical progress and the well-being of users. "On our small blue planet with its limited resources, there can be no other response. We are continuing to search, day after day, for tangible solutions that make life easier and healthier". As for the image of his architecture, Christoph Ingenhoven claims that it is a superficial perception. "Architecture is based on reason and content. That is what determines the form. Food for thought."
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Legends of the pictures
1. Christoph Ingenhoven
2. RWE AG Headquarters - Essen (1994-1997)
With a double glass skin, this 127 metre high building is totally transparent. For nine out of the twelve months of the year it can do without any artificial air conditioning or heating.
3. Burda Media Park - Offenburg (1999-2001)
The head office of this large press group is integrated into the landscape. The six branches separate the different editorial departments, designed in the form of flexible office spaces for a 600-strong workforce.
4. European Investment Bank - Luxembourg (2005-work in progress)
Situated on the Kirchberg plateau in Luxembourg , this long building is also characterised by its total transparency. The glass envelope is crowned by a slightly incurved glass roof, under which you can make out the W shape of the plan.
5. Production Building Gira - Radevormwald (2000-2003)
A new interpretation of the industrial building, the Gira plant (electronic products) is made up of two parts linked by glass stairwells. The load-bearing system is 20 metres in length so as to give rise to large offices without any pillars on the first floor.
6. Stuttgart station (2008-work in progress)
Reinforcing the relationship of the building with its immediate environment, the minimalist structure in concrete will be covered with earth and vegetation. Natural ventilation is achieved.
7. Lufthansa Aviation Center - Frankfort/Main (2003-2006)
An exemplary project combining « High Tech » and « Low Energy », this administrative building offers working spaces bathed in light for 1800 people. Spanned by a glass roof, the green zones allow the building to breathe while protecting it from the heat, the cold and noise. |
