wYe / Eike Becker Architekten

wYe / Eike Becker Architekten - Image 2 of 21wYe / Eike Becker Architekten - Image 3 of 21wYe / Eike Becker Architekten - Image 4 of 21wYe / Eike Becker Architekten - Exterior Photography, Windows, FacadewYe / Eike Becker Architekten - More Images+ 16

More SpecsLess Specs
wYe / Eike Becker Architekten - Exterior Photography, Facade
Courtesy of Eike Becker Architekten

Given a flat property lacking what is generally called “historical context,” there is only one genuine architectural option, and that is to place a highly ambitious building onto the site that is both functional as well as aesthetically pleasing. This was the approach conceived for the administrative building constructed for Stadtwerke Neuss, the municipal utility company. The building is located in a densely built, even congested commercial area occupying both sides of the Konrad-Adenauer-Ring to the south of downtown Neuss. It has a northwest-southeast orientation among other buildings that all tend to look like boxes or flat, formless structures.

wYe / Eike Becker Architekten - Exterior Photography
Courtesy of Eike Becker Architekten

The building’s unusual shape makes it stand out among these other buildings: a large, not quite symmetrical “Y” that largely forgoes straight lines. The concave sides of the building—two with gentle curves and one with a sharper curve—form a lively contrast to the three ends, which feature split and offset, upwardly inclining walls. Clad on all sides with aluminum panels, the four-story building is accessed on the southeast by a broad entrance area with a projecting roof. A café and a bistro are behind the foyer. Most striking, however, are the two stairways leading from the ground floor to the second floor and the second floor to the third.

wYe / Eike Becker Architekten - Image 14 of 21
Courtesy of Eike Becker Architekten

What makes this arrangement so special is less the large “V” shape and more the way the formal contrasts operate between black and white on the one hand, and positive and negative on the other. While adhering to a simple layout, in which a sequence of offices line a corridor to the left and right, the administrative building represents a highly sophisticated adaptation of this convention. The threecorridor system has the appearance of streets that meet from three different directions at a plaza. There are open kitchenettes and bar tables in the hallways.

wYe / Eike Becker Architekten - Image 9 of 21
Courtesy of Eike Becker Architekten

There are single, double, and triple offices, all based on a 1.35-meter grid. The rooms have floor-to-ceiling glass walls. Fresh air is provided through aluminum vents coated with an anthracite-colored powder.

wYe / Eike Becker Architekten - Image 16 of 21
Plan

Upon closer examination, the building proves to be a continuation of the ideas and concepts developed five years earlier for the headquarters of Rheinkalk GmbH in Wülfrath.

Project gallery

See allShow less

Project location

Address:Moselstraße 25, 41464 Neuss, Germany

Click to open map
Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "wYe / Eike Becker Architekten" 21 May 2013. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/374434/wye-eike-becker-architekten> ISSN 0719-8884

You've started following your first account!

Did you know?

You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.