Cologne Units

Atelierspaces as a intervention concept on the fallow ground „former depot in Cologne-Ehrenfeld“ is a proactive project of LHVH architects and the design quarter Ehrenfeld – DQE.

URBAN PLANNING SITUATION – The fallow Former freight station located in the center of the creative district Cologne-Ehrenfeld. In the direct vicinity the design academy ecosign, the atelierhouse Kolbhalle, the society JAS, Jack in the Box e.V., a project for employment promotion and the design quarter Ehrenfeld are located. Overall the area contours a space about 70 hectare. The main infrastructure is locates on the eastern side directed to the „Vogelsangerstraße“ – the railway line towards south. Beside the society „Jack in the Box“ are several minor trades residing on the area.

THE AMBITION – The fallow for decades, space has unnoticed among men, usually, as imprinted useless, unattractive face. This collective, negative connotations, memory is the planned implementation or reversed the temporary use of the site. The existing urban qualities are so far used to the area as a location for studio space to move back to center stage. The site receives by the proposed architecture in an unconventional way for a new identity and simultaneously enriching the neighborhood with additional Stay qualities.

ARCHITECTURE – The plan is a container construction consisting of 53 atelier- and three café/exhibition- and store modules. The three-storey bar is parallel to the Vogelsanger Street faces south. The individual containers are opened studio annex over an upstream portico at the two stairwells. The 53 studio rooms with container dimensions 10x3x3m can be used flexibly as a single or joint office. Accordingly, a studio of 24m ² to 82m ² to be extended. Overall, the workshop area of 1.349m ² interim use. The ground floor next to the indexing and studio areas, a shop and an exhibition room of 53m ², 24m ² of a café, and a subsequent terrace. The wet areas in all three bullets attached to the stairwells.

VISION – The idea of KÖLN UNITS Ehrenfeld is born from the idea that they could be the high demand for studio space requirements. The modularity offers the possibility of fallow space for a new use and thus give the residents a disused urban space once again be made available. For the public with this intervention a usable site is created, the different factors of urban development needs. The structure of the KÖLN UNITS Ehrenfeld underlies the quality of economical, social and cultural integration. The concentrated cluster of creative enterprises generated, which in addition to creating sustainable economic opportunities not only for the benefit of city and district levels and preserved. The conceptual architecture as mobile and flexible structure allows the construction project a vibrant, stimulating activity cultural and entrepreneurial nature.