In 2016, JASPER Architects won a tender from SIGNA, Austria’s largest private real estate company, to renovate and redesign the German “Central Department Store” commercial square, originally built in 1979.
The design challenge was to transform this large square building block, measuring 80m by 80m, into a modern office space suited for the digital age.
Originally, the department store was designed as a closed structure with no exterior openings, which led to severe natural lighting problems inside. This initial plan was eventually overturned.
JASPER Architects proposed cutting out a triangular prism block on each of the building’s four sides during the bidding process. This design allows natural light to flood the interior spaces while breaking up the massive block.
These newly created ‘gaps’ completely redefine the building’s streetscape, opening up all four facades to the surrounding environment.
The original building’s appearance was typical of Buenos Aires urban style: a simple rectangular prism pushed out, familiar to many.
Martin Jasper explains, “The main challenge was how to meet natural lighting requirements. Urban blocks have been divided into various sizes and shapes, governed by overlapping planning rules from different periods. These complex urban geometries are constructed through buildings sharing a common square foundation. This concept inspired our project proposal.”
The removed floor space has been compensated by adding two new floors, a rooftop pavilion, and a spacious terrace on top of the existing structure.
The original facade was completely removed, leaving only the internal concrete skeleton. A giant circular saw was used to cut through the existing structure at the designated gaps. The remaining structure consists of a regular grid of concrete columns, divided by floor slabs every 12 meters and four core tubes.
The building’s history is revealed in the exposed concrete, marked by decades of copper rust. Outdated facilities and rust are preserved, creating a rough industrial canvas that tells a story of the past era.
The facade is composed of two types of modules: transparent glass and opaque window frames, arranged in a 3:1 ratio. This combination provides effective shading that complies with sunlight standards.
Glass doors are installed within the gaps, providing access to the rooftop terrace. Passersby can glimpse the historic framework inside through the new glass exterior, and occupants enjoy panoramic city views from every floor.
The office floors feature a grid-like layout with prefabricated glass interior walls, systematically arranged to divide the large open spaces into different functional areas.
Different functional zones are distinguished by varying floor colors, eliminating the need for physical partitions.
Through this approach, the formerly closed shopping center has been transformed into an open office hub that fosters productivity, creativity, and interaction.
Technical Drawings
△ Ground Floor Plan
△ Roof Plan
△ Typical Floor Plan
Project Information
Architectural Design: JASPER Architects
Area: 62,700 m²
Project Year: 2021
Photographers: Nils Koenning, Hans Georg Esch
Manufacturers: APP, Knauf, Lindner, Siemens
Design Lead: Martin Jasper
Planner: Gewers Pudewill
Facade Design: Dennis Trutty
Master Plan: Alexander Mendelsohn
Planning Team: Lene Nettelbeck, Sara Stasiok
Planning Director: Joerg Westphal
Project Development: SIGNA HOLDING
Interior Design: Studio Aisslinger
City: Berlin
Country: Germany
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