<translation>Messeturm</translation>

Just last summer, you could enjoy the idyllic view from Münsterplatz across the Rhine to the northern part of Basel. By that time, the lobby of economically strong sectors had already gnawed at the heritage protectors. An intervention that could only be compared to the Žižkov Tower completely disrupted the city's panorama. Unfortunately, the high-rise building is also linked to some street axes. It is amazing how architects and heritage protectors stand united in one line when it comes to skyscrapers in the historic center. If only they could understand each other on other issues as well.
The greenish glass block expands the meaning of the term skyscraper with additional meanings. With its horizontal growth at the base, which adopts the dimensions of surrounding buildings, it strives to root itself. With a height of 105 meters, it might have succeeded in most European cities, but not in the Swiss climate. The Basel fairgrounds are unusually close to the city center by European standards. The fairs simply needed more space. In the future, alongside the currently unique buildings, additional high-rises may emerge to densify the south end of Messeplatz.
The hybrid form corresponds to the mixture of functions inside. The service center and fair management are located within reach of escalators in the lower part of the cantilevered mass, while the rest of the base contains restaurants and conference rooms. In the tower, which offers views of three countries (France, Germany, Switzerland), there are hotel rooms (5th-14th) and rentable office spaces (15th-30th). The top floor features a bar with a viewpoint and technical facilities for the building. In terms of materials and detailed solutions, despite its plasticity, the fair tower remains classically simple and strictly orthogonal. Behind the glass panels, which stretch across the entire floor height, the reinforced concrete skeleton remains easily legible. In the 24-meter cantilevered growth, the diagonal steel structure allows for giant column-free spaces. The architects' desire for deep experience is confirmed by the detail solutions and material choices. The facades, roofs, and ceilings are entirely clad in glass panels. Typical floors (5th-30th) are protected by a double facade, which consists of an outer solid glazing with sun protection and an inner glass envelope with thermal protection. The space in between serves for ventilation and also contains solar slats. In the lower floors, the facade consists of triple glazing with sun protection.