Dezeen Magazine

NRW State Archive, Duisburg by Ortner & Ortner

A house-shaped tower with no windows rises from the roof of an ageing warehouse to create a new archive building for the state of North Rhine Westphalia, Germany, designed by Ortner & Ortner of Germany and Austria.

NRW State Archive, Duisburg by Ortner & Ortner

Under construction beside the harbour in Duisburg, the NRW State Archive will become the largest archive in Germany, with 92 miles (148 kilometres) of shelving contained behind its walls.

NRW State Archive, Duisburg by Ortner & Ortner

Ortner & Ortner designed a 76-metre tower to rise up from the centre of the old brick warehouse, which is a listed corn silo building constructed during the 1930s.

NRW State Archive, Duisburg by Ortner & Ortner

They've also added a snake-like extension that stretches out from the north-west facade, accommodating reading rooms, offices and storage facilities over six storeys.

NRW State Archive, Duisburg by Ortner & Ortner

"In architectural terms the addition blends with the existing building, but without weakening the independence of either," say the architects.

NRW State Archive, Duisburg by Ortner & Ortner

Dark red brickwork contrasts with the brown bricks of the old building, plus the architects have infilled original windows to create a protective enclosure for housing the archive's fragile contents.

NRW State Archive, Duisburg by Ortner & Ortner
Photograph by Thomas Mayer

The building is scheduled to complete in November.

NRW State Archive, Duisburg by Ortner & Ortner
Photograph by Thomas Mayer
NRW State Archive, Duisburg by Ortner & Ortner
Site plan
NRW State Archive, Duisburg by Ortner & Ortner
Concept diagram
NRW State Archive, Duisburg by Ortner & Ortner
Lower level plan - click for larger image
NRW State Archive, Duisburg by Ortner & Ortner
Upper level plan - click for larger image
NRW State Archive, Duisburg by Ortner & Ortner
Cross section - click for larger image