Typology office, administration Location Cologne Construction Volume GFA 49.100 m², GV 198.600 m³ Client Rhineland Landscape Association (Landschaftsverband Rheinland, LVR) Completion exp. 2021 to 2025 Competition 2017 – 1st prize, negotiated procedure acc. to VgV – 1st prize
#New office and administration building with an underground car park for the Rhineland Landscape Association (Landschaftsverband Rheinland, LVR) at Ottoplatz in Cologne Deutz
The elongated exterior space alongside the new build is transformed into an urban plaza, which accommodates the representative forecourt of the Rhineland Landscape Association and continues into the building as a semi-public zone.
The striking complex, consisting of a 18-storey highrise and an assortment of five to six-storey adjoining elements, accommodates around 1000 workplaces. The volume and shape of the varied new build blends into the immediate surroundings and, thanks to the generous forecourt, stands clear of the listed station building Deutzer Bahnhof on the opposite side of the square. The tallest part of the complex, vis-à-vis the Triangle Tower next door, protrudes at the western end of the station building creating a pleasant boundary to the square. With a range of catering facilities on the ground floor, the building opens out onto Ottoplatz and thus encourages the development of an urban plaza. The spacious foyer is located at the interface between the surrounding low-rise buildings and the tower, which offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the city. A passage suffused with daylight runs parallel to the square from west to east rising gently with a full-depth stairway that incorporates seating areas and ends in an atrium at first floor level. This central space provides access to all public areas, such as the conference and seminar rooms, exhibition zones, the reception and a cafeteria. The adjoining southernmost complex, with offices that are set around a planted courtyard, is also accessed from the central atrium.
‘It is no longer enough to simply place a building somewhere in a less democratic process. You have to pick up the people in the process.’
Kilian Kada
The height of the building in relation to other highlights of Cologne:
The line of sight to Cologne Cathedral was the decisive point of reference.
Already during a preliminary study to the competition the community of interests “Mitgestalten Ottoplatz-Süd” had formed from some local residents. Thanks to the constructive cooperation between the architect, the client and the residents, it was possible to take into account all the concerns from the position paper of the interest group in the planning process.
Besides the preservation of an impressive plane tree, not only questions regarding the expected traffic volume and the parking spaces could be solved to the satisfaction of all.
In addition, the road space was also developed to a high standard and supplemented with greenery.
It is a successful example of how fruitfully the dialogue between all those involved in planning can affect the future viability of a neighbourhood development.
‘From an architectural point of view, all our points can actually be realized!’
reported the community of interests “Mitgestalten Ottoplatz-Süd“ in its 17th newsletter.
Central Magistrale
The public areas of use, such as conference and training rooms,
Exhibition areas, the reception and a cafeteria with kiosk are grouped around the central atrium.
Several aspects concerning sustainability and the cradle-to-cradle approach have been implemented during the design process. Alongside the use of recycled concrete, the terrazzo flooring in the entrance hall is also being made with chips of demolition waste from the original building.
In addition, the planted roof terraces will function as a high-quality outdoor recreation area for the employees and visitors, and contribute to the reduction of particulate matter in the urban environment. Together with the beehives on the roof and the dead tree trunks in the courtyard, the exterior space, which has been conceived as a meadow landscape, will lead towards greater biodiversity.
