Frankfurt officials have unveiled the results of an architectural competition for a new House of Democracy near the historic St. Paul's Church, launching a comprehensive public engagement process that will give residents a direct say in the project's final design. The exhibition of winning proposals is now on display in the St. Paul's Church lobby, marking the beginning of an extensive citywide debate about this significant democratic initiative.
Mayor Mike Josef and Deputy Mayor Nargess Eskandari-Grünberg emphasized that the project's core mission is to create high-quality, accessible urban spaces that foster democratic participation and dialogue. Josef highlighted that St. Paul's Church serves not only as a site for processing Germany's post-1945 guilt and remembering the Holocaust, but also as a living center of democratic activity. The officials stressed that both the church and the future House of Democracy should not be viewed as isolated architectural projects, but rather as an invitation for citizens to actively participate in reimagining their city and democracy.
St. Paul's Church itself serves as the unmistakable anchor point for this initiative, having housed the National Assembly in 1848 and been reopened in 1948 as the "House of All Germans" after its World War II destruction. According to Josef and Eskandari-Grünberg, the church continues to serve as a stage for major speeches and debates—a place where democratic tradition remains visible and audible. The current project aims to extend this historical significance into the present day.
City Councilor Bernd Heidenreich, who served as a jury member, explained the participatory philosophy underlying the process: "A House of Democracy that deserves this name cannot simply be imposed from above—neither by politicians nor by architects or experts. We therefore want to build the House of Democracy not without, but together with Frankfurt's citizens."
The competition submissions center around two deliberately open questions that project leaders want citizens to help answer. First, where should the House of Democracy be located—as a striking new building in the immediate vicinity of St. Paul's Church, or through the conversion and modernization of the city's treasury building that borders Paulsplatz? Second, how can the urban space be shaped to create an ensemble where St. Paul's Church and the House of Democracy mutually strengthen each other without overwhelming one another?
The winning designs showcase a diverse spectrum of approaches, according to Christa Reicher, the jury chairwoman. Multiple proposals suggest converting the existing treasury building into the House of Democracy while connecting it spatially to St. Paul's Church through an urban carpet of natural stone, stepped seating areas, water features, and tree plantings. These designs incorporate roof terraces, winter gardens, publicly accessible arenas, or rooftop agoras to create additional, low-threshold spaces for exchange—some accessible even outside regular opening hours.
Other submissions propose a sculptural new building southeast of St. Paul's Church featuring a permeable ground floor, debate and seminar rooms on upper floors, and an underground exhibition space that would link the church, treasury, and new building. Alternative solutions focus on opening the treasury building extensively toward the plaza, creating high, flexible halls and variable climate and usage zones, while adding youth spaces, workshops, and a visible outdoor staircase as a meeting point.
Nearly all design variants incorporate recurring themes that reflect contemporary urban planning priorities. Accessibility serves as a fundamental design principle, while quality spaces for gathering are treated as essential democratic infrastructure. Climate adaptation is viewed as a spatial necessity, with several proposals specifically addressing environmental concerns through sustainable materials and energy-efficient systems.
Philipp Sturm, who heads the St. Paul's Church Development Task Force, outlined the communication strategy for the coming weeks. "The goal is to use the idea forum to draw attention to the House of Democracy project and citizen participation," he explained. "The House of Democracy should be accompanied by a democratic process from the very beginning and show citizens that their assessments carry weight."
City Councilor Mikael Horstmann, another jury member, reinforced the commitment to genuine participation: "Without having a voice, there can be no House of Democracy. It should be a lively, collectively designed space—by all of us for all of us. I hope that we give people enough information through the exhibition so they can judge not only the location and appearance, but also the content and mission of the house in our city."
The upcoming process follows a structured timeline designed to ensure meaningful public input. The submissions will first be publicly displayed, discussed, and evaluated according to established criteria including urban design impact, recognizability, and the quality of affected public spaces. From citizen feedback and professional assessments, officials will develop a weighing proposal that transparently shows where opinions align, where tensions exist, and how a viable decision can be developed from these inputs.
The financial scope of the project is substantial, with plans calling for a combined budget of 150 million euros—approximately 75 million euros each for the St. Paul's Church renovation and the House of Democracy design and construction. However, Mayor Josef clarified that the competition represents an initial exchange of ideas, with the architectural plans serving primarily as inspiration rather than final blueprints.
This democratic approach to urban planning reflects Frankfurt's commitment to inclusive decision-making processes, particularly for projects with such significant historical and civic importance. The House of Democracy initiative represents an ambitious attempt to create spaces that both honor the city's democratic heritage and provide practical venues for contemporary civic engagement.
