A counter tells a story—and shows how sustainable building works today.
What do a former reception counter, an old swimming pool in Aachen, and the future of construction have in common? Simple: They all tell the story of the PRISMA—and how true sustainability begins in the details.
As part of the comprehensive revitalization of the PRISMA Frankfurt, a central element in the entrance area was not simply discarded but reimagined: the distinctive counter made of green marble found a second life thanks to collaboration with Concular, a specialist in circular construction, at the POHA House Aachen—an innovative community space housed in a converted swimming pool.
“Sustainability doesn’t stop at the façade—it lives in the material, in the details, and in the handling of resources,” says Jannis Wenderholm from Concular.
“The fact that not only systemic building components but also design-defining objects like the counter were reused sends a strong signal.”
Preserving Resources Instead of Using New Ones
Together with the architectural firm urselmann interior and the glass construction company SCALA, the counter was carefully and professionally dismantled. The valuable marble slabs, originally firmly glued, were meticulously detached, transported, and reinterpreted. Today, the counter is a central element of a vibrant meeting space—and exactly what it was in the PRISMA: a place where people come together.
Circular Economy Meets User Orientation
The story of the counter also builds a bridge to Drees & Sommer’s approach: sustainable building starts with people. At the PRISMA, extensive user surveys specifically shaped spaces for encounter and community—from designing the atrium to durable and flexible interior fittings. This approach continues in the reuse: the counter, originally designed for the PRISMA community, now creates a new place of gathering—and remains part of the story.
Making Sustainability Measurable:
- Over 24 tons of CO₂-equivalent saved
- Materials from the PRISMA reused at several locations
- A counter as a symbol of transformation, circular economy—and commitment.
With projects like this, the PRISMA becomes a blueprint for the future of construction: resource-efficient, creative, measurable—and always focused on people.