Areal am Kronenrain, a project in Germany by Berlin-based MONO Architekten, integrates a parking garage with public spaces and a striking lookout tower. Recognized for its innovative use of materials, commitment to urban renewal, and sustainability features, it has been awarded the title of 'Building of the Year' by the Archello Awards 2024 jury.
Discover all the winning projects from this year's Archello Awards here.
Reimagining urban connections
In the heart of Neuenburg am Rhein, where Germany meets France and Switzerland, the Areal am Kronenrain represents a bold vision for urban revitalization. Commissioned as part of the State Garden Exhibition 2022, this project reconnects the city center with the newly transformed Stadtpark am Wuhrloch, overcoming significant challenges in topography and accessibility.
The project is designed to transform an underutilized area with a significant nine-meter elevation difference into a vibrant hub. Central to this vision is the harmonious interplay between a sleek multi-story parking garage, a striking observation tower, and an elegant pedestrian bridge. Together, these structures form a cohesive ensemble that seamlessly links the city center to the surrounding park and natural landscapes.
The Münsterplatz, a welcoming public square, anchors the project and provides an accessible gathering space. From here, visitors can stroll across the bridge to the historic Bertholdturm or descend to the verdant parkland and the Rhine Riverbanks. The observation tower is 36 metres high, and is a destination that offers panoramic views of the tri-border region. It can be climbed by stairs or accessed using an elevator, and it connects the various levels of the project as well as links the park with the city.
Prioritizing passive design and sustainability
Sustainability is a defining feature of the project. The parking garage accommodates 231 vehicles and is designed with perforated facades and open-plan levels to maximize natural light and ventilation. This passive strategy eliminates the need for extensive artificial lighting and mechanical ventilation, significantly reducing energy consumption.
A distinctive facade of rammed earth and Corten steel enhances the project’s environmental credentials. The rammed-earth layers, tinted with natural red pigments, pay homage to the region's historic red sandstone architecture and the Rhine's former riverbanks. This material not only offers durability and thermal benefits but also underscores the craftsmanship involved in its creation, reflecting natural sedimentary processes.
Integrating functionality with urban ecology
Beyond the buildings, the project embraces biodiversity and urban ecology. Elevated planters, integrated into the architectural design, and a future rooftop garden enrich the local ecosystem. These features, along with the tower’s integration into the park, prioritize the coexistence of urban and natural environments.
According to the architects, the project also anticipates future needs, with plans to extend the pedestrian bridge as a ramp to the park level. This addition will provide an inclusive, barrier-free route, complementing the existing elevator that accommodates bicycles and mobility aids.
“Underscoring the international significance and resonance of the project, it is a profound honor to receive the Archello Awards 2025 ‘Building of the Year’. We are deeply grateful for the recognition, which not only highlights the project's unique approach but also celebrates the powerful role that bold urban interventions can play in creating meaningful, transformative spaces with social impact for the community.”
- André Schmidt of MONO Architekten
e-charging stations by MENNEKES
Parking guidiance system by MULTIGUIDE
Elevator system by AUFZUGSTECHNIK SÜD
Barrier system, pay station by HÖRMANN
Lighting by BEGA
Floor coating system by STO
Waterproofing by SOPREMA
Watertight expansion system by MIGUA
