top of page

Close to the German city of Cologne the Drachenfels is located. On top of that mountain is a heavily frequented ruin, which is in dire need for a new restaurant. As a reaction to this a competition was held in 2010 to find a solution for a new building to acompany the existing structures. It was necessary to find a contemporary answers to the needs of representation and gastronomy.

This design proposes to wrap the end of the existing plateau in a new building, so that the new is no competition for the old. Comparable to a city wall it stages the step from 'the way up' to 'beeing there'.

Its shape allows for various different interior situations: lookouts, entries, calm and lively areas are formed equally. Aside from the actual shape, this impression is strengthened through the facade: thin, prefabricated concrete blades are positioned following a regular grid, but turned individually, reacting to what is needed. The results are framed views, gradually opening buildings and a seemingly shifting facade, that plays with the lightness of its structure and the heavyness of its material.

bottom of page