Telegraph

The first decision was to preserve the traces left by time on the existing building. The common theme of history runs through the entire building, even after having been refur­bished. Our sensitive treatment of the existing built fabric brings to life its material presence. Steel struc­tural elements are accen­tuated, and plaster surfaces and flaking paint are preserved. Original piers and window breasts have been given back their function and appearance, and vaulted brick ceilings made visible.

To give the existing building a worthy counterpart, the second decision was made: The new building is conceived as a ruin being reclaimed by nature. The new was conceived from the start as remaining unfinished and thus ideally comple­ments the old that persists.

A landmarked fragment of the original building serves as the base for the new building. A straight­forward concrete façade with generous glass fronts is punctuated by lush greenery. In front of the balconies, which stretch across the entire width of the new building, are planted gabions. Growing out of these wire cages are pioneer shrubs that seek their way across the woven steel mesh of the balcony railings. The plants are far more than aesthetic elements: they serve as parti­culate filters and as climate buffers that reduce noise and cool the air.

»Telegraph« is a modern place of work with 11,650 m² of high-quality and energy-efficient usable floor area. It is comple­mented by a green oasis, the inner courtyard, which has been freed of parking spaces and bicycle racks. The two-wheelers can now be parked in an under­ground garage.

In this way, we are promoting the mobility revolution.

The under­ground car park with space for 220 bicycles and 10 cars frees the courtyards from means of transport and turns them into green recrea­tional areas.