With the construction of its new corporate headquarters in Cologne’s city centre, DEG (Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgeschaft) has united under one roof all its employees, who were previously scattered across several locations in the cathedral city. Set in some 2,800 square meters, the generously glazed, cubic office block blends in harmoniously with its surroundings. To achieve the desired transparency, the two longer sides of the building were given an exclusive laminated glass frontage. Central to the architectural concept, the building-high atrium is the interface with the public area. Two-thirds of the atrium’s glazed "convertible" roof can be opened, transforming the inner courtyard into an open-air space.