Topping-out ceremony at Prager Ring in Aachen: Landmarken and Ericsson are eagerly anticipating the future
The mayor arrived in a fire truck: just eight months after the foundation stone was laid in April, the "Arbeitswelten am Prager Ring" in Aachen celebrated its topping-out ceremony. The sustainable new office building by Landmarken AG comprises almost 9,000 square meters of office and communication space. The main tenant is the global corporation Ericsson, which is moving its Eurolab to Aachen. Landmarken is in talks with other prospective tenants. Construction work is proceeding according to plan, so that completion is expected on schedule at the end of 2026.
This is primarily due to the good cooperation between regional companies. "From contract negotiations to project meetings on the construction site, the cooperation with our general contractor Schlun from Gangelt is always constructive and solution-oriented," says Hendrik Bettenworth, Head of Construction Management at Landmarken. Almost 250 prefabricated components from the Aachen-based company Nesseler were used for the façade, for which a dedicated crane was temporarily installed on the construction site. The first recyclable composite thermal insulation system is being installed on the gable walls, the components of which can be separated by type and recycled after demolition. The innovative zero-waste system from Saint-Gobain Weber is mechanically attached to the wall, does not require adhesive, and can be greened using rope-guided trellising. The roof of the penthouse floor was completed just in time for the topping-out ceremony.
The main tenant, Ericsson Eurolab, is moving from neighboring Herzogenrath to Aachen. The Landmarken new building enables Ericsson to offer spaces where employees can come together flexibly, says Jan Peter Meyer-Kahlen, Vice President and Head of ICT Development Center Eurolab at Ericsson. "We develop new ideas and cultivate a corporate culture that is characterized by a spirit of innovation. That's why it's essential for us that our spaces are flexible, stimulating, and collaborative. The new working environment at Eurolab will be a flagship project for new hybrid workplace models within the Ericsson Group." Eurolab employs around 500 highly qualified staff, including experts in software development, cyber security, artificial intelligence, machine learning, smart manufacturing, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Much to the delight of Aachen's new mayor, who highlighted Ericsson's enormous innovative strength and sees Aachen with its universities as the perfect location for it: "It's good that modern working environments are being created here for this research, but also for other innovative companies," said Dr. Michael Ziemons. "As the city administration, we will work to be part of such solutions." He himself proved to be a friend of pragmatic solutions anyway. He used the city fire department's vehicle without further ado because no official vehicle was available at the time.
The new building will be constructed and equipped according to the latest sustainability standards and ergonomic findings. Efficient energy supply will be provided by heat pumps and a solar system on the green roof. In combination with this, concrete core temperature control saves energy by using the concrete as a heat storage medium, enables low flow temperatures, and creates a pleasant indoor climate.
The building offers employees a modern research and working environment with flexible office space. The roof terrace, inner courtyard, and spacious foyer provide a pleasant place to spend time even after working hours. Those who like to cycle to work in the morning will find 148 bicycle parking spaces, a bike station, and showers on the ground floor. There are also eleven charging stations for electric cars. A real eye-catcher is the "living wall," a completely green wall on the façade facing Prager Ring.
With around 5,500 square meters, Ericsson occupies around 61 percent of the total space. Approximately 3,400 square meters of flexibly divisible rental space is still available. The building, which is being constructed in accordance with the BEG 40 standard, will receive LEED Gold certification for green building. "We are experiencing partnership on equal terms and mutual trust here – with the city's economic development agency, with our tenant, and with the construction company carrying out the work," said Landmarken CEO Jens Kreiterling. "This enables us to overcome obstacles together and create the best solutions."
