Kö-Bogen II
Düsseldorf
Kö-Bogen II in Düsseldorf is an outstanding example of innovative architecture in an urban setting. This commercial and office building attracts everyone's attention with its impressive green facade, the largest in Europe. The sloping facades are stepped and linearly planted with plant troughs containing hornbeam hedges.
This unique design with over 30,000 plants stretches in a row over a total length of 8 kilometers. The hornbeam hedges not only offer aesthetic appeal, but also considerable ecological benefits. A vegetation study has shown that the ecological benefits of these hedges are equivalent to those of about 80 mature deciduous trees, particularly in terms of oxygen production and the absorption of fine particulate matter (→ read more). In addition, the greenery acts as a heat buffer—the vegetation prevents the facade and roof surface from overheating, as they could reach temperatures of up to 70 °C due to intense sunlight.
With the Kö-Bogen II, Düsseldorf has gained an architectural highlight that demonstrates how modern, large-scale buildings can be designed to incorporate living greenery. This project is an example of how striking architecture and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.
