AlphaSpace groundbreaking ceremony: Landmarken builds first Spirit Office in Aachen
The foundation stone for the keystone has been laid: in perfect winter weather—with spring already cautiously peeking around the corner—the teams from project developer Landmarken and general contractor Goldbeck, together with representatives of the two tenants, celebrated the laying of the foundation stone for AlphaSpace Aachen, the third Landmarken buildingnow things are moving quickly: within just five months, the six floors of the 10,000 m² modular building will be erected, and the building will be ready for occupancy. Now things are moving quickly: within just five months, the six floors of the 10,000 m² modular building will be erected, with occupancy of the building planned for mid-2025.
A smart office for smart users in the technology hub of Aachen – that's what the two companies that will now occupy two-thirds of the available space are banking on: In addition to Utimaco, an expert in cybersecurity solutions, Cognex is also moving into AlphaSpace. The globally active developer and manufacturer of image processing products has grown with Landmarken, so to speak, and is expanding at the location: In the neighboring Pick-up, also a Landmarken development, Cognex already occupies around three-quarters of the approximately 5,000 square meters of space there. The current lease for AlphaSpace is already the fifth that the company has signed with Landmarken.
The new building, designed by Aachen-based firm pbs architekten, embodies the Spirit Office concept developed in collaboration with New York architect Matthias Hollwich. Its four pillars are community, sustainability, health, and intelligence. The concept is applied to all buildings – in Cologne, the first Spirit Office has already been completed with the KiteLoft, and in Bochum, another is currently under construction with the BrainFactory – for a digital building that thinks for itself, promotes health through opportunities for movement and the use of healthy materials, and strengthens the sense of community through inspiring communal areas. Respect for nature is expressed through sustainable construction methods and smart, climate-friendly energy management.
In AlphaSpace, two striking lobbies characterize the two main entrances in the north and south of the building. Two roof terraces, loggias on all floors, and the inner courtyard, which is completely greened with regional plants, invite casual interaction. "With generous room heights, natural materials, and high-quality, contemporary design, AlphaSpace offers working environments that enhance both well-being and productivity," says Landmarken project manager Jan Hilgier. "As a spirit office, it embodies all the virtues that an office for the new generation of employees should fulfill. It is particularly important to us that not only the companies as tenants benefit, but also their employees who use the building."
The new building, equipped with sustainable building automation, receives its power supply from a large, highly efficient photovoltaic system. What makes it special is that it is not only installed on the green roof of AlphaSpace, but also extends to the roof of the neighboring Trösser building. Parking spaces with electric charging stations, a bicycle parking garage with 100 spaces and a green roof, and a barrier-free guidance system to the entrances are part of the mobility concept and round off the sustainability requirements. The completion of AlphaSpace Aachen marks the end of the development of the Nord district. "Successful district development means more than just buildings—it creates a home for community and cohesion. With AlphaSpace, we are making another valuable contribution to the district," says Nils Perpeet, Head of Project Development for Office & Special Properties. With a mix of commercial uses and gastronomic offerings, AlphaSpace Aachen forms an entrance to the city of Aachen.
