Best Architecture Schools In Cologne: Your Guide

Cologne, Germany, is a city with a rich cultural and historical context. It is home to several architectural marvels, including the iconic Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city offers a unique tapestry of architectural styles, blending historical landmarks with contemporary interventions. For those interested in studying architecture, Cologne presents a fascinating opportunity to explore the interplay between the old and the new. The Faculty of Architecture at TH Köln recognises the importance of this interplay and offers a broad range of courses that promote both practical experience and theoretical immersion.

Cologne's Faculty of Architecture

Courses

The Faculty of Architecture offers five specialisations at the graduate level, which build on the skills and knowledge gained through the undergraduate program. These include methods of analysis and research, creative and artistic techniques, forms of expression and drafting methods, basics of scientific research and writing, and communication techniques. In addition, the university promotes the acquisition of knowledge in ethics, ecology, economy, and aesthetics to complement the broader interdisciplinary education of architects.

Teaching Approach

The teaching approach at the Faculty of Architecture aims to adequately prepare students for the future and the changing demands of the architectural field. This includes supporting students in gaining technical skills through the use of computers, a light lab, and test chambers for building materials. The institution also offers courses to improve oral and writing skills, which are essential for effectively describing and explaining design and planning processes to clients.

International Experience

Recognising the importance of international experience, the Faculty of Architecture is continuously internationalising its teaching programs. This includes international study and research projects, inviting international visiting lecturers for lecture series, and supporting incoming international students as well as their own students going abroad.

Student-Teacher Relationship

The close relationship between students, professors, and assistants is a key aspect of the Faculty of Architecture. The experienced and engaging teaching staff offers excellent support to students, both in small groups and individually, helping them achieve good results. The constant exchange during classes, festivities, debates, exhibition openings, and field trips further enhances the knowledge transfer and overall educational experience.

The interplay between historical landmarks and contemporary interventions

The city of Cologne, known as Köln by locals, is considered one of the most important centres in West Germany. Located on the banks of the Rhine River, Cologne boasts a rich cultural and historical context, with its architectural narrative unfolding through the interplay between historical landmarks and contemporary interventions.

Historical Landmarks

At the heart of the old town stands the medieval Cologne Cathedral, officially known as Kölner Dom. It is a Gothic masterpiece, renowned for its towering twin spires. Construction began in 1248, but it wasn't completed until 1880, showcasing centuries of architectural evolution and dedication. The cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the tallest cathedral in the world, dominating the city's skyline. Apart from the cathedral, the Inner City possesses several other noble churches, largely built during the prosperous Middle Ages. Examples of Romanesque architecture include Sankt Gereon, Sankt Severin, and Sankt Ursula.

Contemporary Interventions

Beyond its historical core, Cologne embraces modernity with structures such as the Kranhaus buildings and Renzo Piano's Weltstadthaus. One notable intervention is Peter Zumthor's Kolumba Museum, which integrates the ruins of a late-Gothic church destroyed during World War II. The museum creates a tranquil space dedicated to the contemplation of art and history. Another contemporary addition is the Cathedral Square by Allmannwappner, which complements the surrounding historical architecture.

Interplay Between Historical and Contemporary

Cologne's architectural landscape is a tapestry of styles, where the ancient and modern coexist and influence each other. The medieval cathedral, with its Gothic spires, stands in contrast to the sleek, modern lines of the Kranhaus buildings. The city's rich history is preserved while also embracing new architectural movements and technologies. This interplay showcases the city's ability to adapt and evolve while respecting its past.

Cologne's architectural narrative is a dialogue between the past and the present, where historical landmarks and contemporary interventions create a unique urban environment. The city's architectural evolution reflects its dynamic nature, attracting students and professionals alike who seek to study and contribute to its rich architectural context.

The Gothic design of Cologne Cathedral

Cologne Cathedral is a Gothic masterpiece and a cultural heritage site. It is Germany's most popular landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, receiving an average of 20,000 visitors a day. The cathedral is located near the River Rhine and is famous for its architectural statues, steep gables, blind tracery, and unifying series of spires. Its design exemplifies the Rayonnant Gothic style, with some elements of extra-decorative Flamboyant Gothic architecture.

The origins of Cologne Cathedral date back to 1164 when the Archbishop of Cologne, Rainald of Dassel, obtained the relics of the Three Kings. The relics attracted believers from all over Christendom, and it was decided that a new cathedral in the Gothic style was needed to house them. Construction of the cathedral began in 1248, commissioned by Konrad von Hochstaden, Archbishop of Cologne from 1238 to 1261. The cathedral was designed by architects Master Gerhard and later Master Michael.

The exterior of Cologne Cathedral repeats forms previously used at Amiens, with buttresses and steep gables covered in blind tracery. The interior of the gables is decorated with a three-petal motif (Dreistrahl). The spires give the complex and highly articulated volume of the building a sense of unity. The cathedral is 144.5 metres (474 ft) long, 84 metres (275 ft) wide, and has a window surface area of 10,000 square metres (108,000 sq ft).

The plan of the cathedral is in the shape of a Latin Cross, with two aisles on either side supporting one of the highest Gothic vaults ever built. The presence of a deep westwork shortens the nave and creates a feeling of centrality. The medieval choir has a tall arcade, a narrow triforium gallery with detailed tracery, and tall clerestory windows with some original stained glass in the lower sections. The vault is composed of a plain quadripartite arrangement. The cathedral's 'modern' aspects include its abandonment of the engaged column derived from Chartres and the adoption of a clustered arcade pier.

The exterior of the cathedral is renowned for its extravagant use of tracery, flying buttresses, stone sculpture, pinnacles, and lofty porticos. The interior houses many important works of art, including the High Altar, made of black marble with a white marble front and sides, and the Shrine of the Three Kings, a large gilt sarcophagus in the shape of a basilican church, which contains the relics of the Magi. Other notable artworks include the Gero Cross, the Mailander Madonna, and the stained glass windows, which bring a vibrant intensity of colour to the interior.

The city's top secular medieval buildings

Cologne's medieval buildings are a testament to the city's rich history and cultural significance. Here are some of the top secular medieval structures in the city:

• Overstolzen House: This 13th-century Romanesque house is one of the oldest secular buildings in Cologne. It suffered damage during World War II but has since been reconstructed, preserving its historic architecture.
• Town Hall: Located in the heart of the city, the Town Hall features a 16th-century porch. The building was damaged during World War II and has undergone restoration work. It stands as a testament to the city's administrative and political history.
• Gürzenich: Also known as the Banquet Hall, Gürzenich served as a gathering place for the merchants of the city. Built between 1441 and 1447, it has been reconstructed as a concert and festival hall, hosting various cultural events.
• Arsenal: The 16th-century Arsenal building, which once housed a historical museum, has been restored to its medieval form on the outside. It showcases the architectural style of the time and is an important part of the city's heritage.
• Bayen Tower: Standing near the Rhine, this medieval tower is a reminder of the city's rich history. It is one of the remaining structures of the medieval walls and gates that once surrounded the city.
• Roman and Germanic Museum: While not a medieval building itself, this museum houses a mosaic floor from a Roman banquet hall discovered during excavations near the cathedral in 1941. It provides valuable insights into the ancient history of Cologne.

These buildings, along with the many churches and cathedrals, contribute to the unique medieval character of Cologne, making it a living textbook of medieval architecture and history.

The University Library Cologne

The University of Cologne has a rich history and is considered one of the most important centres in West Germany. The University Library Cologne, designed by ANDREAS SCHÜRING ARCHITECTS, is a testament to the university's prominence. With its bright, open, and inviting character, the library serves as an attractive flagship for the university and its students. Covering 700 square metres, the library offers a high degree of adaptability and a large variety of levels of transparency.

The library's design is centred around the themes of "order and freedom". This is achieved through the interweaving of highly transparent learning cubes and adjustable light acoustic curtains, creating a complex structured one-room space under a limitless, all-connecting light ceiling. The various acoustic curtains, inspired by "Café Velvet and Silk" designed by Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich in 1927, allow for easy modulation of the learning landscape. At the beginning of the semester, open spaces dominate, while during the busy examination phase, the curtains offer alternating retreats for different learning groups.

The Faculty of Architecture at the University of Cologne recognises the importance of this interplay and offers a dual approach that equally values practical experience and theoretical immersion. With a broad range of courses, the faculty provides students with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in architectural design. The curriculum offers specialisations such as urban development, analysis and research methods, creative and artistic techniques, expression and drafting methods, and scientific research and writing.

The University of Cologne's commitment to fostering awareness of the complexity of an architect's work extends beyond the library and into the heart of its academic programmes. The university's cutting-edge resources, including computers, a light lab, and test chambers for building materials, further enhance the students' educational experience.

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