wulf architekten designs perforated metal façade for cologne's parking garage P22A

wulf architekten has designed a perforated metal façade for the P22A parking garage of koelnmesse, cologne‘s trade fair center, which is located at the zoobrücke bridge, and offers 3,260 parking spaces on 5 levels. developed as a lightweight transparent shell, the uniformly-designed façade wraps around the S-shaped curved structure, resembling a big organic surface that gives the impression that it breathes.all images © tobias vollmer

on behalf of the trade fair center and the city of cologne, wulf architekten has created an innovative and emblematic façade for the S-shaped curved P22A parking garage, which was designed by german architecture firm, schultearchitekten. made of roughly 3,000 laser-cut perforated metal panels with edge reinforcement, the façade surrounds the existing structure with a poetic-organic shell that gives it a light plasticity. the gill-like gaps and the perforations of the panels themselves ensure the natural flow of air within the parking garage, while they also provide sufficient natural lighting within the parking spaces.

the uniformly-designed façade does not seem ornamental; instead, it is designed like a big organic structure that gives the impression that it breathes. the overlapping perforated metal panels that wrap around the curved construction of the parking garage create interesting geometric patterns, which, especially at night, evoke a sensuous, emblematic symbolism as they emit artificial light from the interior.

project info:

name: parking garage facade P22A

architect: wulf architekten

client: koelnmesse gmbh, köln

location: pfälzischer ring 105, 50679 köln, germany

construction cost: appr. 1 million euros

service phases: 2,3 and 5

planning team: kai bierich, manuel cabezas (PL)

general contractors: DIP deutsche industrie- und parkhausbau gmbh, bad honnef

project management: IQ real estate, düsseldorf