The floating cloud
The atrium of the DEG headquarters in Cologne, Germany literally glows from the inside. This is thanks to a large glass canopy, which brightens the floor of the plaza and can even be opened up. The light that floods into the atrium illuminates the room units of the seven-storey building that are located here. In 2018, a new sculpture was installed to add the finishing touch to the plaza and reflect this theme of light and transparency: The “floating” cloud.
Open yet closed off, the space empty space is used as an event and break room for German development finance institution DEG. The moving canopy – which is an astonishing 25 metres high – is opened regularly, transforming the atrium into an airy courtyard. In order to create a sheltered space for the employees as well, the designers came up with “The Cloud”: a flexible, two-floor room-in-a-room concept that can be adapted to suit any situation thanks to a clever glazing solution.