Interview: Luisa Peisert and Marcello Mazza from Alfons & alfreda AG
Location: Düsseldorf, June 2023
The sustainable neighborhood THE WID ONE and TWO is being built in the Ehrenfeld district, west of Cologne city center. In this interview, Marcello Mazza and Luisa Peisert, project developers in the Alfons & alfreda team, talk about the plans for the project, the pursuit of sustainability in times of energy crises, and the cultural change currently taking place in Ehrenfeld.
Ehrenfeld is undergoing radical change: How will the various components of Ehrenfeld – from the extensive industrial areas to the multicultural, alternative, and colorful atmosphere – be successfully integrated into THE WID ONE and TWO projects without negatively impacting the special charm of the area?
Marcello Mazza: "One key measure is the skilful integration of the projects with a diverse usage concept that takes into account existing buildings that are worth preserving and have a distinctive character. The current situation presents an inaccessible, completely sealed-off industrial area with partially vacant halls whose use in this central location is no longer appropriate.
To make the neighborhood accessible and enjoyable for everyone, we are creating publicly accessible pathways that also tie in with the development of Pandion AG in the Max Becker area. The WID ONE and TWO buildings will also be harmoniously integrated into the existing stock and reflect the architecture of the historic gasworks surroundings. The spaces are intended for crafts, manufacturing, sports, gastronomy, and more, with the original uses being taken up and supplemented by sustainable concepts.
Furthermore, accessibility in Ehrenfeld is a key aspect for us. In line with the concept of the "15-minute city," we want to further improve the neighborhood's connections with the adjacent districts in order to optimize mobility and strengthen ties.
Our vision is to make the neighborhood a central attraction in Ehrenfeld that fills the surrounding area with life. This is becoming increasingly important, particularly in view of demographic changes and the influx of new residents to this region.
We hope that the residents of Ehrenfeld will identify with our projects just as much as they do with their beloved surroundings."
Climate change is also part of the transformation in Ehrenfeld: the design of the two properties features green facades and outdoor areas. What sustainability measures are being taken in addition to the visual appearance?
Luisa Peisert: "In addition to the green appearance of THE WID ONE and TWO, we are committed to comprehensive sustainability goals that are in line with the City of Cologne's 2030+ urban strategy.
We are striving for various certifications for sustainable buildings, including DGNB Platinum Level, WELL Platinum Level, and Wired Score Platinum Level. These certifications require special measures during the construction phase.
However, our ambitions go beyond construction. We have high goals in terms of energy generation and recovery, energy positivity, recycling concepts, promoting biodiversity, and using sustainable and reusable building materials. Especially at a time when waste production has reached extremely high levels, it is important to consider the life cycle of the property and think about recycling and reuse.
In our projects, we not only value ecological aspects, but also the social dimension of a neighborhood. We focus on mixed use to create an inclusive environment that meets the needs of different communities. We are aware that a successful neighborhood must be sustainable not only on an ecological level, but also on a social level.
Apart from environmental considerations, a project developer also focuses on economic efficiency. How does Alfons & alfreda ensure the profitability of THE WID ONE and TWO without compromising the quality or environmental aspects of the properties?
Marcello Mazza: "We attach great importance to quality, sustainability, and social integration. Regardless of the profitability of the projects, we firmly believe that these aspects are of fundamental importance. By working with experienced partners in planning and construction, we have already been able to ensure very good quality in our recently completed OVUM project in Cologne-Braunsfeld.
We firmly believe that maximum sustainability is profitable in the long term. A project becomes profitable when it creates real added value for the largest possible group of stakeholders. Our goal is to create something great for our neighbors and the people of Ehrenfeld. If we achieve that, the profitability of the properties will automatically follow."
The real estate industry is going through uncertain economic times. Are these uncertainties affecting the progress and realization of THE WID ONE and TWO projects?
Luisa Peisert: "The demand for future-proof and sustainable real estate is not hampered by economically uncertain times, but rather strengthened. Especially in times of energy crises, it becomes all the more important to develop good and sustainable real estate.
The office of tomorrow, the way we want to come together and develop ideas in the future—all of this is changing fundamentally. Many existing properties no longer meet the appropriate requirements and also have disastrous climate values. As developers, we are therefore serving a field of demand that is growing and will continue to grow. The more uncertain the times, the more we need to convince with good concepts in prime locations, which is what we are doing with our two projects.
We are always looking for new approaches, especially in the area of sustainability, and therefore see great potential in the energy concepts of existing buildings and new construction projects. We want to develop innovative solutions and contribute to sustainable real estate playing an increasingly important role.
The demand is there and will continue to grow, regardless of economic uncertainties. We see it as our job to respond to this demand and meet people's needs and requirements with our projects."
