Open and Diverse
The Coco office campus in northern Cologne showcases striking new public spaces
The urban Coco office campus at Butzweilerhof merges modern new construction with existing buildings to provide over 30,000 m² of premium office space. Kitzig Design Studios was commissioned by owner OSMAB Holding AG to design an inviting shared public realm that ties together the various structures on this multi-tenant campus. The ground floor amenities serve the entire campus community—featuring staffed reception services around the clock, multiple conference rooms, and seamless access to the new parking facility.
"From day one, we faced a critical question: how do we bridge the existing and new structures while rethinking the entire flow of movement?" explains architect Viki Kitzig, Managing Director of Kitzig Interior Design. The team's answer was elegant—a generous opening in the façade toward the courtyard and new parking structure, which naturally extends the street-level access. To minimize disruption for tenants, the renovation unfolded across four carefully planned phases. The first focused on reinvigorating the culinary experience. The reimagined campus restaurant showcases contemporary design, featuring dishes prepared fresh in the state-of-the-art kitchen. Beyond the restaurant, a versatile lounge doubles as an informal hub for spontaneous encounters and downtime, while the lush courtyard gardens provide a peaceful retreat. The central lobby embodies flexibility—a striking reception space that simultaneously serves as a hub for collaborative work and social connection. Movable curtains and a modest stage transform a portion of it into an event venue. Tenants enjoy numerous options: intimate "igloos" for quick conversations, bookable meeting rooms accessible via app, boardrooms and conference rooms equipped for hybrid presentations, a creative studio, and formal presentation spaces. All interconnect through thoughtfully designed pre-function areas. Quality was non-negotiable from the start. Artists Tape-Art, Johannes Leidenberger, and Kunst Raum Konzepte were woven into the design narrative, their installations engaging in direct conversation with the interior itself.
Photography:
Marvin Schienheer
www.marvinschwienheer.com
(Published in CUBE Cologne Bonn 02|25)