PARK LINNÉ Cologne | kister scheithauer gross architects

The PARK LINNÉ residential quarter is currently under construction on an approx. 5.3-hectare plot at the former Sidol Factory in Cologne. Since construction works were commenced in autumn 2011, 140 city apartments have already been completed. On 9 May, the laying of the foundation stone for another 50 units was celebrated. ksg implements the urban centre comprising nine city villas as well as the COLÓN residential building. ‘PARK LINNÉ represent another example of how to convert industrial fallow sites into a lively urban district with stimulating effects on the surroundings’, client Michael Dornieden emphasises. In the presence of Senior Mayor Jürgen Roters, the laying of the foundation stone for the urban centre of the quarter, the three city villas LACANDÓN, TORRES and CRISTÓBAL, was now celebrated. The villas will provide 50 new apartments with floor areas ranging from 65 to 187 square metres and 64 parking spaces in the underground car park. The design was originated by kister scheithauer gross architekten (ksg) from Cologne, who implement a total of nine city villas (E2-E10) and one apartment complex (F1+G1) in the PARK LINNÉ development. Elegant city villas, classic townhouses, trendy lofts, and stylish city apartments, embedded in a unique garden landscape, at the highest level – that is how the client, DORNIEDEN PARK LINNÉ GMBH & CO. KG, formulated his wishes. The urban planning concept is based on the image of an urban quarter with proportioned streetscapes and discernible detached houses. This ensemble is framed by distinctive, higher corner buildings, which define the new spatial edges. The buildings LACANDÓN (E8) and LA GALLEGA (E3) serve to define a gate situation leading into the interior of the site under development. The space derives its order from the staggering of building depths and heights. Towards the south, an imaged sequence of squares develops along an axis, which is further emphasised by the positioning of groups of trees. ‘Clear shapes and inherently consistent façades characterise the external appearance of PARK LINNÉ“, Professor Johannes Kister explains. With protrusions and recesses the different alternating plastered surfaces in bright colours give the buildings a classic-modern appearance. The entrance portals are partly equipped with wooden doors as well as stone slabs and visually structure the entire ensemble. Furthermore, windows predominantly extending down to the floor, loggias and roof terraces determine the architecture. Considerately worked out details of the respective entrance situation give each villa its individual charm and strengthen the generation of an address. The COLÓN apartment complex (F1+G1) has already been completed and photographed by Yohan Zerdoun. The other residential units shall be ready for occupancy as from the end of 2015. Architects work phase 1-5:kister scheithauer gross architekten und stadtplaner GmbH, Köln design/responsible partner: Prof. Johannes Kister project team: Ruth Hofmann, Astrid Kunz, Magdalena Mazurkiewicz Building planning work phases 6-7: DORNIEDEN Generalbau GmbH, Mönchengladbach Project management IQ Real Estate GmbH, Düsseldorf Structural design Kunkel + Partner GmbH & Co. KG, Düsseldorf BSE planning Veit Brieden Ingenieure, Bergisch Gladbach Building physics Ingenieurbüro Heinrichs, Hürth-Efferen Outdoor areas thorsten zietz landschaftsarchitekt, Düsseldorf