Storage building Siebengebirge

Köln, Germany

Photo © Christian Richters

Photo © ksgarchitekten2017

Architects: kister scheithauer gross

Location: Köln, Germany
Year: 2006

After the war the Cologne Rhine Harbour quickly lost its importance. Where once great numbers of cranes were lifting their loads the area gradually turned into a wasteland. In the middle of the disused area there is a characteristic grain store, which in the vernacular of Cologne is referred to with affection as Siebengebirge and which with its well-known silhouette marks the now revitalised harbour.

For a long time the building with its steel frame, built in 1908-09 by Hans Verbeek, was not considered to be capable of repair. In particular the large depth of the building combined with the low storey height begged the question of sufficient natural light and successful marketing. The building was in need of modernisation, which on the one hand would respect the character of the building and on the other would guarantee the sustainability of use. In order to reduce the interference in the listed building to a minimum, kister scheithauer largely dispensed with the widely used provision of courtyards for light. In fact, the architects created generously proportioned living areas by the water, by the use of intelligent, open layouts and glazed balconies. In all, 130 flats were created on eight floors with attractive commercial areas on the ground floor along the new promenade.