Erzbischöfliches Berufskolleg Köln

The Erzbischöfliches Berufskolleg Köln is a four-story vocational school in Sülz featuring a distinctive gray-green Danish brick facade. A central atrium with open gallery levels and a roof made of pneumatic ETFE cushions organizes the interior spaces and connects different floor levels.

The building was completed in 2016, consolidating three separate vocational school locations from across the city into one place. This merger brought together educational operations that had previously been scattered.

Fifteen aluminum art installations by Cologne artist Volker Saul titled IN BEWEGUNG are distributed across three staircases throughout the building. These works give the hallways and transition spaces a distinctive visual identity.

Access to this active school building is generally restricted to students and staff during school hours. Visitors can explore the exterior at any time and view the distinctive facade and architectural design from street level.

The building won the Cologne Architecture Prize in 2017 for its innovative design combining concrete interiors with Fineline panels. The open learning spaces and thoughtful spatial design create a modern educational environment that goes beyond conventional school buildings.