Weltstadthaus (Cologne)

The 5th World townhouse, the department store building Schildergasse 65-67 in Cologne, designed by Renzo Piano, and after a protracted litigation, during which the construction work rested due to defects in the structural analysis of the solid building on the half-finished shell, opened on 7 September 2005. With the Weltstadthaus the north-south travel is overbuilt.

The building, which is reminiscent in shape to a ship, but also compared to a stranded whale and was baptized reason of the Cologne whale, includes 14,400 m² of retail space on a length of 130 m and a width of 60 m. The Atrium offers views over five floors in 34 m height. The 4,900 square meter glass facade is elaborately constructed from 6,800 individual disks and 66 laminated wood beams made ​​of Siberian larch. Historical models are found in the Holz-/Glaskonstruktionen of orangeries and the large Stahl-/Glas-Treibhäusern of the 19th century such as Kew Gardens in London.

The lateral northern façade consists of 4,400 m² of natural stone; were a total of 3,400 m² stone floor ( Stone St. Bartholomae, Portugal) laid and 10,800 sqm floor.

The dome of the building is the public due to public commitments not accessible. It is intended for special events and invitations of the house.

The store is operated by the fashion chain Peek & Cloppenburg and was awarded the "German Timber Construction Award " and the MIPIM Award 2006.