The old parish centre of the Roman Catholic Church of St. Heribert in Cologne-Deutz emerges with a distinctly minimalist, gridded aesthetic—clean-lined and dramatically contrasted—following its transformation into the offices of Wendling Architektur. The luminous interiors, punctuated by impressive 3.20-metre ceilings, provided the ideal foundation for crafting sophisticated, highly livable spaces while preserving the building's original character. During renovation, the existing oak herringbone parquet throughout most of the space was carefully restored: sanded multiple times, gaps filled, damage remedied, and finished with oil. Walls were replastered with lime, then topped with a lime finish coat that was repeatedly smoothed and sanded to create a flawless surface.

The kitchen received the same thoughtful treatment, with its vintage terracotta tiles refinished and now harmonizing beautifully with a bespoke black kitchen featuring delicate oak handles and subtle backlighting. The design team prioritized premium, natural materials throughout. The 125 m² office occupies the mezzanine level, divided into two primary work zones, a kitchen with storage, entry foyer, cloakroom, and two restrooms. The main workspace originally comprised three adjoining rooms—partition walls were removed to create one flowing, unified area. Large street-facing windows, doors opening to the parish garden, and strategically placed wall and pendant lighting create bright, generously proportioned work environments. Two custom desk islands anchor the layout, designed on a 36 cm module. These pieces and all other furnishings were crafted by hand in the same modular system using black MDF. "This repetitive grid appears throughout every room," explains architect Martin Wendling, "providing optimal storage for files and, when doubled, achieving perfect ergonomic heights. Additional modules serve as flexible shelving, creating visual cohesion with strong brand recognition." A key architectural gesture—a striking oak-framed window in the meeting room—frames views of the neighbouring church for those inside while presenting a striking focal point to pedestrians on the lively shopping street below. The frame doubles as seating. This space's most compelling feature is how its refined minimalism engages in dialogue with the historic church structure beyond.

www.wendlingarchitektur.de

Photography Credits:

Ben van Skyhawk
www.benvanskyhawk.com

(Featured in CUBE Cologne Bonn 04|22)