DFB present design for planned Academy

The German Football Association has presented the winning architectural design for the planned DFB Academy in Frankfurt. The work of kadawittfeldarchitektur from Aachen was selected, beating off international competition. 213 applications from all corners of the world were submitted, being narrowed down to a list of 30 on 21st November 2014 and then further whittled down to ten at a later date. The jury was unanimous in deciding the winner.

The jury, containing representatives from the DFB, the city of Frankfurt, renowned architects and external experts, believed that Klaus Kada and Gerhard Wittfeld’s work offered the ideal solution for incorporating all the association’s requirements. The main idea in the design is a close link between the buildings and pitches. This element was particularly picked up on and mentioned in the jury’s feedback. It read: "The design hit the nail on the head with regards to the fundamental element of largely integrating the pitches in the building structure.

The design also met environmental targets and this was also acknowledged in the judgement: "Overall it’s a particularly environmentally friendly, green design." The new home of the DFB and DFB Academy will fit discreetly into the surroundings. The evaluation noted the "welcoming, friendly atmosphere" of the DFB Academy.

Niersbach: "Every local resident should have a clear picture of what we want to create"

DFB president Wolfgang Niersbach was already looking ahead to the local vote, set to take place on 21st June. "It was crucial to us that the people of Frankfurt knew exactly what they were voting for. We’ve openly communicated about matters every step of the way and wanted the local residents to be able to form a clear picture of what we want to create. It was therefore important for us to be able to present the winning design ahead of the local vote. I’m really enthusiastic about the architects’ work and am optimistic that the local people will feel similarly," he explained.

"We’re all working to improve German football and will continue to be right at the heart of matters – and no longer just in a figurative sense. We’re going to be surrounded by football pitches and players. All the architects produced outstanding work and I’d like to thank all those who entered designs," remarked DFB general secretary Helmut Sandrock.

Löw on Academy design: "I’m impressed"

Oliver Bierhoff is the project leader for the DFB Academy. "It’s about helping to shape the development of German football. We want to be the world leader once again in the future, set the course for development and be one of the leading lights in innovation. We have the optimum conditions to achieve that with this design. The best players need the best facilities – that is implemented in the DFB Academy," he remarked.

"I’m really impressed. I would have loved to have trained and developed under these sorts of conditions as a player. All internationals and DFB teams are going to profit from the Academy. Selecting this design has laid an important foundation in achieving the project’s aims and it will significantly help German football to celebrate big success again in the future," commented Germany manager Joachim Löw.