House generates more energy than it consumes – server rooms heat offices
With “Friedrich and Karl”, an office complex is being built in Cologne-Niehl that generates more energy than it consumes – thanks to the latest technology.
Cologne – New jobs in Niehl (Cologne-Nippes district): The “Friedrich und Karl” offers a total of 45,000 square meters of rental space. “It should be the most climate-friendly office district in Cologne,” say the makers. And indeed: If everything works out as announced, the building complexes would set new standards in Cologne put.
“Friedrich and Karl” in Cologne: 6 floors, 1000 bicycle parking spaces
![Visualization of an inner courtyard in Friedrich and Karl.](https://www.soester-anzeiger.de/bilder/2022/07/18/91675956/29381025-visualisierung-eines-innenhofs-im-friedrich-und-karl-1hv1UgUNZvBG.jpg)
The Friedrich und Karl owes its name to the fact that it is being built on Friedrich-Karl-Strasse, near the Niehler Hafen, reports 24RHEIN. On the 20,000 square meter property there is currently the hardly used art gallery of the media company DuMont, some parking spaces for the free and other unused outdoor areas. Moved further west, at Amsterdamer Strasse 192, DuMont has its media house.
The media group is also the project developer for “Friedrich und Karl” – for the first time in its history. It is implementing the construction together with the Cologne-based company Bauwens.
Six office buildings, each with six floors, are being built. The individual buildings are connected by a common ground floor. A large pillar extension leads to a so-called mobility hub. There are 1000 bicycle and more than 350 car parking spaces available above them. There will also be offers for car sharing and electromobility. The Federal Agency for Real Estate Tasks (BImA) is expected to rent about 2,400 tenants.
Friedrich and Karl Cologne: numbers and facts
gross floor area: | 49,500 sqm |
Rental space: | 45,000 sqm |
Use: | offices |
Employee: | about 2400 |
Project developer: | Bauwens and DuMont |
Architects: | Wiel Arets Architects |
Start of building: | 2023 |
Completion: | 2027 |
Friedrich and Karl in Cologne-Niehl should become climate-positive
![Visualization of the Friedrich and Karl building in Cologne-Niehl.](https://www.soester-anzeiger.de/bilder/2022/07/18/91675956/29381053-visualisierung-der-gebaeude-im-friedrich-und-karl-in-koeln-niehl-2md42Flv1rBG.jpg)
With the ID Cologne in the district of Cologne-Ehrenfeld and the DEVK house in Riehl further large office quarters are created. What distinguishes the “Friedrich and Karl” from them is the special energy concept. The project developers announce that the new office district will be climate-positive. That means it produces more energy than it uses.
This is made possible, among other things, by the wood-hybrid technology that is used. Wood is the main building material. This would result in 6000 tons of CO2 tied in the buildings for a long time, they say. “During planning, we saved the maximum amount of concrete that the standards and guidelines allow us,” says Stefan Höher, divisional manager at Bauwens. Because the developers are using prefabricated wooden modules, construction should not only be faster, but also quieter.
Incidentally, Bauwens also uses this technique for the Green plant project in Bocklemünd. Another example of modern construction technology are The wit and the two the project developers Alfons & Alfreda.
Friedrich and Karl: Warm PC rooms heat the offices
![An office in Friedrich and Karl from the inside (visualization).](https://www.soester-anzeiger.de/bilder/2022/07/18/91675956/29381097-ein-buero-im-friedrich-und-karl-aus-der-innensicht-visualisierung-1Xm4uT6dK7BG.jpg)
But there are other measures that have a positive effect on the energy balance and sustainability:
- All roofs will have a photovoltaic system. The electricity generated drives heat pumps that heat and cool the offices.
- The waste heat from the server rooms is also used to heat the rooms.
- In summer, the building is passively cooled by groundwater.
- The greening of the roof areas is intended to retain rainwater on the roof area and promote natural evaporation. This is especially important when again Heavy rain in Cologne falls.
Schedule for the Friedrich and Karl construction project
According to Bauwens, the first building construction work will begin in 2023. The project developers want to have completed the first construction phase by the end of 2025. They expect completion in 2027. (mah)