Commercial Building Hohe Strasse
Located at the crossroads of Cardo and Decumanus on the Roman city plan, Hohe Straße 52 represents a significant historic city plot, situated in the heart of the old town of Cologne. The facade is understood as a specific expression of an urban structure. This is typologically articulated as an urban commercial building with a pedestal, a central part and attic. The pedestal forms the tectonic basis of the building. A band of 70 cm wide pillars follows the property along the surrounding streets, framing the large display windows and shop entrances.
The central zone, consisting of the two floors for the sales areas, is combined in the facade to from a larger order. The large, double-story openings are designed as a vitrine, with the space between acting as a showcase. The attic floor takes up the theme of the structured frame of the two main floors and repeats it in a halved rhythm. Here too, the frames are loosely joined together and result in a continuous attic band, altering between open and closed parts. The upper facade is completed by a continuous ledge with a simple, slanted roof, giving the building the necessary calm.
