Helios Gelände

© O&O Baukunst Köln GmbH
Urban master plan
Location:                                  Cologne Ehrenfeld
Competition:                          Urban planning competition in 2013, 1st prize
Client:                                        bauwens GmbH & Co. KG
Cooperation partners:        Prof. Fenner, studio grüngrau, landscape planners
                                                     Matthias Köster, artist
Function:                                  Urban quarter / residential and cultural quarter
Size:                                            4 hectares

The “Helios site” is a former industrial area in a central location in the Cologne-Ehrenfeld district. The still preserved Rheinlandhalle with its lighthouse and the Helioshaus are reminders of the historical use by Helios AG. In addition to the existing buildings, there are other buildings on the site that accommodate small businesses, retail outlets, studios, workshops and craft enterprises.

The future use of the site is considered essential for the development of the Ehrenfeld district. A moderated public participation process was carried out at the beginning of 2012 which consisted of two workshop procedures where ideas for the future use of the site were collected.

In the workshop phase, the citizens developed the model of a mixed-use urban quarter with housing, culture, creative industries, trade, services and education. The aim is to create a small-scale structure consisting of studios, housing, owner-managed retail, cultural institutions, restaurants and public spaces. As an innovative residential and cultural quarter, the new district should remain open and accessible to everyone.

© O&O Baukunst Köln GmbH
© Matthias Köster, concept for the Heliosbar, 2015Close
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