In Mannheim, Germany, letter-shaped buildings help to revitalise a neighbourhood

The Franklin Mitte neighbourhood as imagined by MVRDV in a model. Photo: AFP

An unusual building is under construction in the Franklin Mitte district of Mannheim in Germany. The residential building takes the shape of an "O" and is also named the "O"; its apartments went up for sale in Nov this year.

The 15-storey building, which will house a total of 120 apartments, has a unique public terrace in the centre of the "O", accessible via a large staircase. This space, conceived as a "neighbourhood lounge", is designed to be accessible to the community at large, not just the building's residents.