The departure point for the design of the new European Investment Bank (EIB) is the connection between the green valley north of the site and the urban European administration quarter to the south. The building and its exterior public space express the fundamental values of the European Union and the EIB: respect for human dignity and human rights, freedom, democracy, equality and the rule of law.
By weaving itself into the adjacent landscape and urban fabric, the building establishes new physical and visual connections. Together with the enhanced public space, the new building unifies the EIB campus and articulates a very clear identity for the European Investment Bank.
Extending the sloping line of the landscape into the stepped terraces of the lower horizontal volume creates a strong balance between the adjacent landscape, the urban fabric and the surrounding European institutions. The vertical volume with the cantilevered trading room at its base marks the main entrance to the building.
The tower acts as a functional landmark for the entire campus, yet also announces the EIB to the city of Luxembourg. A series of atria and courtyards facilitate views across the site towards the valley, thus weaving the green character of the surroundings into the building’s higher levels, creating an even stronger relationship with the context.
Dark metal facade elements articulate both the podium’s horizontality and the tower’s verticality, distinguishing each element in a complementary manner. The main entrance has a curtain wall glazed facade, revealing the interior life of the building. Neutral yet elegant finishes include wooden slats, bronze glazed tiles, terrazzo floors and coloured accents.
In addition to reaching BREEAM Excellent certification, the building is designed to meet the ‘Nearly Zero Energy Building Strategy’ due to come into force in 2020. The building can generate over 50 percent of its own energy needs through the use of air source heat pumps and photovoltaic panels.