in collaboration with:
Chair of Architecture and Design, Prof. Jan De Vylder
Chair of History and Theory of Architecture, Prof. Dr. Maarten Delbeke, Linda Stagni
PRE-use instead of RE-use?
How to deal with a building that asks for a different use before its completion?
The Franklinturm is planned as a complete office tower with two small public units on the ground floor, cramped between a delivery, a car elevator and a lobby.
The project was on freeze, or stopped in 2015 for almost 3 years, because the SBB could not find any tenants. They finally decided on the continuation of the project, still without tenants, for the building permit to not expire.
They started the groundwork in 2019 and are currently building the 7th floor.
What if you stop now?
In mid-November the 5th floor was completed. This was the moment at which the current market demand would have been fulfilled.
Stopping now, the structure provides enough space for the users who agreed to rent to fit into it. So, why build an empty tower?
