The exhibition terrace at Deutz station marks a vital intersection where Cologne's Exhibition Centre, the new MesseCity development, and public transit converge. Standing 60 metres tall, the "Centraal" tower serves as the anchoring centerpiece of the MesseCity quarter. Conceived by architect Max Dudler through a competitive façade design process, the building asserts its prominent role through a striking light limestone façade that commands attention against its surroundings. Headquarters for consulting firm KPMG, this office tower seamlessly integrates panoramic office spaces, rooftop gardens, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and cyclist-friendly amenities.

The sixteen-storey structure employs a trapezoidal footprint, with strategically positioned setbacks on the third and seventh levels that create a sculptural silhouette. A dramatic three-storey vertical recess near the MesseCity balcony marks the southern entrance, its projecting crown spanning two façade bays. The eastern façade dissolves the building's complex geometry through a single-storey colonnade fronting an outdoor terrace. Vertical pilaster strips and recessed horizontals articulate the façade, while three subtle setbacks establish the classic tripartite composition—base, shaft, and capital. The lower pilasters, initially 1.45 metres wide, gradually taper through three storey sections, reducing 10 centimetres in width and 5 centimetres in depth at each interval. This refined progression emphasizes the façade's vertical rhythm.

The primary façade grid responds to contemporary office requirements with a 1.35-metre module. Floor-to-ceiling aluminium windows with triple glazing reference the iconic "Chicago Window," divided into three panels. The entire project was realized to DGNB Gold Standard certification, ensuring both environmental responsibility and exceptional quality.

www.maxdudler.de

Photography:
Stefan Müller
www.stefanjosefmueller.de

(Featured in CUBE Cologne Bonn 03|25)