In early 2025, photographer Paul Clemence visited Düsseldorf, Germany, to capture the stunning Kö-Bogen II, a commercial and office complex designed by Ingenhoven Architects. What stands out in his photos is the building’s landmark feature: its vast green façade, which is considered one of the largest in Europe. Clemence’s photo series presents the building not just as an architectural marvel, but as a symbol of a new era where architecture, nature, and sustainability coexist harmoniously.
Kö-Bogen II, completed in 2020, is strategically positioned between the Court Garden (one of the city's central parks) and Schadowstraße, Düsseldorf’s bustling shopping street. The building is situated across from the iconic Three-Slab High-Rise and adjacent to the Düsseldorf Playhouse, two prime examples of post-war modernist architecture. According to Clemence, Kö-Bogen II acts as a visual and spatial bridge between these iconic structures, blending modern urban design with the natural world through its distinctive green envelope.
Unlike conventional block-shaped buildings, Kö-Bogen II adopts a trapezoidal form with sloped surfaces facing both the adjacent square and park. These inclining planes are entirely covered with more than 30,000 hornbeam plants, forming a living, stepped façade that stretches an impressive 8 kilometers when measured flat. This green wall is not only aesthetically pleasing but also serves multiple environmental functions: it improves air quality, reduces the urban heat island effect, provides sound insulation, and promotes urban biodiversity. To ensure the greenery remains healthy year-round, the building incorporates a custom irrigation and trimming system.
Through his lens, Clemence captures more than just the building’s exterior—he reveals the green façade as an essential part of the architectural concept. His photographs convey a powerful message: "Architecture can not only be designed for environmental sustainability; it can become the environment itself." The living plants on the building shape its identity, transforming a massive urban structure into a form that feels alive, vibrant, and integrated into its surroundings.
This integration of vegetation is a hallmark of Ingenhoven Architects’ approach, evident in other projects such as the Toranomon Hills Tower in Tokyo and the Marina One complex in Singapore. Clemence himself has photographed some of the world’s most iconic architectural works, from Ruy Ohtake’s Bioparque Pantanal in Brazil to the revamped Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, to the Eco-District of Clichy-Batignolles in Paris. His work continues to explore the intersection of architecture, nature, and art.
Kö-Bogen II is not just a building; it represents a shift in how we think about urban spaces. The growing trend of incorporating green design into architecture is not confined to Europe alone. Around the world, architects are increasingly integrating natural elements into their work to promote sustainability and enhance the quality of life for city dwellers. For instance, New York’s High Line, a former elevated railway turned urban park, is a prime example of how nature can be woven into the fabric of a bustling city. Similarly, in Freiburg, Germany, many new residential buildings now feature rooftop gardens aimed at improving air quality and fostering biodiversity.
This fusion of architecture and nature is not just a design trend, but a fundamental shift in how we imagine the future of cities. As Clemence’s photos highlight, buildings like Kö-Bogen II are more than just structures—they are environments in themselves, bringing nature back into the heart of the city. This integration of greenery doesn’t only enhance the aesthetic of the building but also contributes to the well-being of those who live and work in its vicinity.
Kö-Bogen II exemplifies how modern architecture can be both functional and environmentally responsible, while simultaneously creating spaces that are engaging, livable, and in harmony with nature. The green façade is a statement, not only in design but also in sustainability. This landmark is an innovative example of how architecture can reshape the urban environment—transforming cold, lifeless concrete into a thriving ecosystem.
As cities continue to grow, the importance of sustainable, green design in urban development becomes clearer. From the green walls of Düsseldorf to rooftop gardens around the world, the future of architecture will likely be one that blends the built environment with the natural world, creating more vibrant, healthier, and sustainable urban spaces.