The modern exterior of the European Investment Bank in Luxembourg, designed by Christoph Ingenhoven, featuring a sleek glass facade that reflects the institution's commitment to transparency and sustainability.
The modern exterior of the European Investment Bank in Luxembourg, designed by Christoph Ingenhoven, featuring a sleek glass facade that reflects the institution's commitment to transparency and sustainability.
PROJECTS / EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK
A horizontal skyscraper on the Kirchberg plateau
In 2002, Christoph Ingenhoven won the international competition to extend the European Investment Bank (EIB) in Luxembourg. The new building, characterized by its transparency, environmental awareness, and energy conservation, provides the Bank with a new identity. The design reinterprets the skyscraper system, resembling a high-rise laid on its side at ground level and enclosed by a large vaulted glass envelope measuring approximately 13,000 square meters.
Located at the edge of the Kirchberg plateau, an area known for its European authorities, banks, and cultural venues designed by renowned architects, the EIB building aligns with the urban development plan by Ricardo Bofill. One of its straight facades faces Boulevard Kirchberg, while the curved glass roof connects the building to the valley and its landscape features. The design incorporates internal atriums and terraces that reflect the surrounding landscape, integrating halls, restaurants, conference rooms, and public facilities. The glass envelope acts as an umbrella over the dynamic V-shaped office tracts, linked by triangular atriums and conservatories.
The temperature-controlled atriums serve as heat buffers, playing a crucial role in the building's internal climate control. Openings in the glass roof help regulate atrium temperatures. These spaces provide relaxation areas for staff, natural ventilation to offices, and reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions.