With the Friedrich and Karl office complex, a new gateway to the city is taking shape in Cologne-Niehl, in the northern part of Cologne. This architecturally sophisticated complex is the result of a multi-year development process that culminated in a competitive design process coordinated with political and administrative authorities, yielding an urban design and architecture of international caliber.

The groundbreaking design of the complex, consisting of three largely self-sufficient construction phases, is consistently oriented toward sustainability. The energy required for a complex of this scale is generated via geothermal suction and injection wells at the site, which benefits from its proximity to the Rhine. The use of a hybrid wood construction method—in which the office floors, including the facades, are prefabricated off-site—enables significant amounts of CO2 to be sequestered within the building over the long term. The innovative mobility concept addresses the significantly increased demand from users of bicycles, e-bikes, and cargo bikes and, combined with optimal public transit connections, allows for a substantial reduction in the number of parking spaces.

The individual building structures are connected via a pergola and a continuous base floor and have basements only in certain areas. The spacious outdoor areas are landscaped to collect rainwater, which is then largely allowed to infiltrate into the ground on the property via swales. All roofs are designed as green roofs and will be equipped with photovoltaic systems; the electricity generated by these systems powers heat pumps that operate the offices’ heating and cooling systems largely self-sufficiently. The high proportion of greenery promotes natural evaporation and, in combination with the large-canopied plane trees along Boltensternstraße, creates a pleasant microclimate throughout the complex.

The Friedrich and Karl project was awarded the DGNB (German Sustainable Building Council) Platinum Pre-Certificate. The life cycle assessment (LCA) conducted throughout the project lays the foundation for the Sustainable Building Quality Seal (QNG Plus).

The 100% rented space also offers room for training purposes, conference rooms, and a dedicated cafeteria. The federal energy standards for new buildings (EGB 40) are far exceeded for the “Friedrich und Karl” project. This makes the new location in the Niehl district a true flagship project for the future of office and government building construction.