A Landmark Development in a Historic Location

JSWD proudly introduces Neuer Kanzlerplatz, a new office complex in the city of Bonn, Germany. In 2015, as part of an urban development qualification process, the city put out a call for a concept to build the new office complex at the intersection of a heavily frequented highway and a wide set of train tracks. JSWD was awarded the contract, together with Art-Invest Real Estate.

High-rise at the entrance to the new office quarter
Photo credit: Christa Lachenmaier

The consistent facade structure allows the three buildings to form a single visual entity. A slender vertical tower rises up out of one of the buildings, appearing to float over a glass foyer. With 28 stories and more than 100 vertical meters, the high-rise anchors the office complex within the city skyline.

Breaking through an urban barrier

In respect to urban planning, of particular note is that the project eliminated the “barrier” created by the previous building – the long-empty 18-story Bonn Center. For nearly 50 years, this building characterized the urban landscape, blocking paths and obstructing views. With their irregular layout, the three new buildings nestle into the corners of the triangular plot. This creates an outdoor public space in the middle that people can freely walk through, thereby establishing a connection to the neighboring residential area.

Way through the new office quarter at Kanzlerplatz Bonn
Photo credit: HG Esch

Public space between the three builings
Photo credit: Christa Lachenmaier

Sculpture "Mirror Pavilion" in the center of the office quarter
Photo credit: HG Esch / Jeppe Hein

Facade: coordinated concrete formulations and a lively geometry

The facade grid is made of cream-white, acidified architectural concrete with a double-layer hydrophobic coating. Its design connects all three buildings to create a harmonious ensemble, while at the same time minimizing the use of formal means. In the high rise – as opposed to the other two buildings – the facade panels extend over two stories around the base of the high-rise, and actually span three. This feature emphasizes the building’s height.

Top of the high-rise with Skylounge
Photo credit: HG Esch

Load-bearing façade grid made of architectural concrete
Photo credit: HG Esch

Sustainability aspects

Numerous sustainability aspects were considered during the project’s planning phase. All three buildings have green roofs, and a photovoltaic system is to be installed as well. The buildings are heated with district heating and concrete core tempering. The external solar protection is controlled automatically, while the sunshade louvers have a light-diffusing function. The integrated daylight and artificial lighting planning resulted in the use of presence detectors inside the building and the automatic adjustment of the lighting levels based on the ambient brightness. Further elements that increase the building’s efficiency include the use of LED lighting, water-saving fixtures, and a ventilation system with waste heat recovery. The use of renewable and locally sourced raw materials was also taken into consideration.

Top of the high-rise with Skylounge
Photo credit: HG Esch

Office in the high-rise building
Photo credit: Christa Lachenmaier

Foyer with slender hinged supports of the high-rise building
Photo credit: Christa Lachenmaier

"Neuer Kanzlerplatz"

With the creation of the “Neuer Kanzlerplatz” office district, Bonn now has an office complex in an attractive location that is equipped for the future. At the same time, the project has solved urban planning problems for the neighborhood by reviving and opening up an urban area that had previously been closed off. The unique geometry of the facade grid results in a lively appearance that changes along with the natural lighting conditions and the perspective of the viewer.

Office Quarter "Neuer Kanzlerplatz" near the City center and the river Rhine
Photo credit: HG Esch

About JSWD

The JSWD architecture firm was founded in Cologne, Germany, in 2000, and it operates internationally. Today, JSWD is managed by founding partners Olaf Drehsen and Frederik Jaspert, and partners Christian Mammel, Mario Pirwitz, and Tobias Unterberg. Founders Konstantin Jaspert and Jürgen Steffens also continue to support the team. The team of roughly 280 employees from 33 nations consists of architects, interior designers, support staff, and administrative employees.