Helios Gelände

10. marzo 2021

© O&O Baukunst Köln GmbH

The guiding principle of a “Lively City District for All” was used as the basis for an urban planning competition, which was subsequently realised. The task for the participating architectural firms was to implement the “code” from the public participation. Our concept aims to strengthen and preserve the characteristic features of the Helios site: Urbanity with industrial charm, tolerance and deference in dealing with history, specific and uncluttered open spaces. The new building blocks create an ensemble with the historic Rheinlandhalle and the Helios Tower. They provide space for education, culture, housing and commerce.

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.