© Jens Kirchner
- Architects: kadawittfeldarchitektur
- Location: Cologne, Germany
- Architects In Charge: Burkhard Floors, Adrian Fischer
- Area: 30000.0 m2
- Project Year: 2016
- Photographs: Jens Kirchner, Ralph Richter
- Interior Design: kadawittfeldconsult
- Landscape Design: GREENBOX Landschaftsarchitekten
- Structural Design: AWD GmbH
- Building Physics: TOHR Bauphysik GmbH & Co. KG
- Cultural Technology: Fredersdorf Consult, Kühn Geoconsult
- Fire Protection: Kempen Krause Ingenieure
- Building Services And Electrical Engineering: Bähr Ingenieure,
- Guidance System: kadawittfeldconsult
- Project Management: HTP Hochtief Projektentwicklung / IBM Projektmanagement
- Site Supervision And General Contractor: Bilfinger Hochbau GmbH
© Jens Kirchner
From the architect. With the conversion of the former railway head office, Cologne‘s cityscape has received a new landmark. The new roof design has led to the recreation of the historic mansard roof as well as the generation of terraces with views of the Rhine River that are set between the metal bands surrounding the roof storeys and the set-back office facades.
© Ralph Richter
Diagram
© Jens Kirchner
The former railway head office is on Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer immediately opposite the Rhine River and in immediate vicinity of Cologne’s main railway station, the cathedral and the city centre. The design takes into consideration the listed building, including the historic facade layout, and develops a contemporary solution for the mansard roof that was destroyed during the Second World War. Horizontal metal bands surround the four uppermost storeys and, owing to the angle of their fixture, trace the slope of the original roof, which characterised the silhouette of the cathedral city for many years before its destruction. The glass facades behind the horizontal bands do not follow the slope of the original roof but are perpendicular to the floor plates. This feature creates deep roof terraces in the surrounding space offering panoramic views across the city. The listed facade of the lower storeys is upgraded; the impressive historical entrance hall is rebuilt and incorporated into the new build. Three ground-level entrances on Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer provide the opportunity to divide the building into three rental areas. They all fulfil the requirements of modern flexible office space and offer different office layout concepts ranging from single cell units to business lounges.
© Jens Kirchner
Corporate architecture – Roof as a logo
The design takes the existing listed structure, including the historic facades, into consideration and develops a contemporary, modern solution for the pre-war mansard roof structure, which now forms a distinct contrast to the historic features below. Clearly separated from the listed structure by a shadow joint, the new facade of the roof extension appears as an independent, homogenous structure with a horizontal arrangement, lending the add-on a dynamic, elegant and transparent look.
Diagram
Metal bands envelop the four roof storeys and trace the slope of the historic roof contours that characterised the Rhine River silhouette of the cathedral city for many years. The glass facades beyond the bands do not follow the original sloped roofline but are set perpendicular to the floor plates. This feature generates deep, much-appreciated terraces in the surrounding space offering panoramic views across the city. The symbiosis of old and new, together with the streamlined roof, leads to the creation of a new landmark in the cityscape, which has a visible impact on Cologne’s Rhine River panorama from afar.
© Jens Kirchner
Sig Nordal 