frontier economics

Flexible Floor Plan

Just like the cathedral, the Kranhäuser (‘crane houses’) in the harbor district are among Cologne’s most well-known landmarks. The new offices of ‘frontier economics’ are located on the 11th floor of one of these buildings, occupying an area of 8,500 sq. feet. In close consultation with their clients, the CSMM architects developed an office concept that promotes both concentrated work and communication. Mobile, individually designed carpentry installations, the positions of which can be adapted to different scenarios, create an endlessly flexible floor plan, which also helps to accommodate a continual growth in the number of employees. Colors and materials support the idea of ​​integrating nature into the world of work, with recycled OSB and linoleum, a natural, sustainable and particularly robust material, being found throughout the premises. To add contrast, the architects integrated metal, which plays on the charm of the location, a former industrial port.

Three Functional Zones

The architects defined three main spatial functions: the reception and conference zone, the ‘breakout and fun area’, together with a work area, the latter also offering opportunities for retreat. Different materials and colors were used for the floor covering to delineate these zones. In the work area, for example, there are carpet tiles graded from green to grey, while the areas for relaxation, fun and retreat are defined using green linoleum with orange inlays. A noteworthy piece of furniture is the multi-functional seating steps specially designed for frontier economics. They serve as a lounge, a room divider, a storage space, a planter and a viewpoint over the Rhine.