Parked

Community-Oriented Space Design

This is about creating a shared space for communal use. This is already evident in the name “Multi-Tenant Campus COCO” for Cologne Office Campus Ossendorf. The owner, OSMAB Holding AG, had existing buildings and new constructions surrounding a green inner courtyard, and planned to create a unifying zone that would provide an attractive, shared, and even public space for its users – between 250 and 300 people. The total area covered 1,700 square meters. Kitzig Design Studios developed a diverse and open spatial concept to address the varying needs of office spaces and working methods. For example, the bistro area can be used by everyone beyond its service hours for meetings or as a workspace, and the terrace, which is connected to an attractively designed garden, offers the same benefit. This also draws external visitors into the complex, creating opportunities for new connections.

Flexible Workspaces and Sustainability

The spacious lobby, accessible from both sides of the building, is multifunctional and serves as both a representative reception area and a space for agile work or social gatherings. A section of this area can be separated with curtains, and there’s even a stage available. “Iglus” offer secluded spots for spontaneous conversations, while various meeting rooms can be booked. The board and conference rooms reflect the full spectrum of communication possibilities: video conference technology is available, enabling hybrid events and conferences, with offerings that range from creative rooms to traditional lecture and training spaces. Spontaneous group work can always find a place in bright and intimate meeting areas. To facilitate connections, various pre-function areas have been created. The secondary usage aspects of the new workplace were also addressed, particularly regarding environmental sensitivity: in addition to the newly constructed parking garage with multiple charging stations, cycling mobility is now supported by an attractive bike room with numerous functions, including lockers for helmets and clothing, showers, a repair station, tire pumps, and a washing station – perfectly “parked.”

What can architecture do for a good workplace?

Johann Boltz: Primarily, architecture creates a framework for the workplace. This includes, in addition to the basic usability of the spaces, the acoustics and lighting of the respective areas. At the same time, the design plays a crucial role. Clear contrasts and a visual hierarchy within the areas allow users to orient themselves and focus.

Which functions and/or spaces are the most important to you in a work environment?

Especially when we assume that the areas are used by different people, the demands on the aforementioned framework (the architectural framework, see above) are very diverse. Instead of “limitless” flexibility (in the sense of: without a framework or reference point), we focus on variability within the immediate surroundings. Here, we differentiate between constant conditions (e.g., acoustics) and those that can be individually adjustable. Light, privacy, and temperature would be examples. By limiting variability to the immediate environment, we ensure that independent uses do not disturb each other.

Which materials do you strongly recommend to your clients in interior architecture?

Materials must be assessed differently depending on the project. In the case of COCO, we primarily rely on material contrasts between hard and soft surfaces. This interplay allows us to establish clear hierarchies in the design, creating a well-structured environment. From the historical context of the location (former airfield, radio/television), this resulted in a somewhat technical materiality, yet with a clear focus on the well-being of the users.