AREAL Consulting GmbH (AREAL) has converted existing office space at Butzweilerhofallee 7 in Cologne into a modern general medical practice. The approximately 300 m² area was developed as a functional, patient-friendly and future-proof environment for outpatient care operations. The client is the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KV) North Rhine. AREAL was responsible for the design and implementation planning, advice on tendering and awarding contracts as well as construction supervision.
The new MediTeam general practitioner practice opened on July 1, 2026 and primarily serves as a real-world laboratory for testing digital care solutions. In addition to regular practice operations, digital technologies, AI-supported applications and new organizational processes are tested at the site during ongoing operations. The aim is to gain insights into which digital solutions actually relieve practice teams in their everyday lives, are accepted by patients and which approaches can be transferred to other practices. The findings are to be made available to other interested physicians.
“The conversion of classic office space into a modern medical practice places high demands on functionality, design and technical feasibility,” says Sylvia Wannagat, Düsseldorf branch manager at AREAL. “The aim of this project was to create a practice environment that enables efficient processes, offers a high quality of stay and at the same time opens up space for new forms of outpatient care.”
The design concept follows a clear and functional approach. Bright, open rooms, intuitive routing and clearly structured functional areas create a pleasant atmosphere for patients and at the same time support the work processes of the medical staff.
A special focus was placed on sustainable and durable materials. Among other things, certified floor coverings with low-CO₂, biological plasticizers, natural and recycled materials and energy-efficient LED lighting systems with presence detectors were used. Low-emission paints and surfaces contribute to a healthy indoor climate and underline the ecological claim of the project.
The MediTeam practice of KV Nordrhein is part of a new approach that is intended to introduce young doctors more closely to outpatient care. Many family doctors in private practice today will retire in the coming years. At the same time, the requirements of the next generation of doctors in terms of independence, working time models, digitization and practice management are changing. The location at the Butzweilerhof is therefore also intended to help prepare young doctors for the practice world of the future. He is also expanding family doctor care around the young residential area in the northwest of the city of Cologne
“Especially in the healthcare sector, rooms today have to do more than just functionality,” adds Wannagat. “They must support efficient processes, be flexible in use and create an environment in which patients feel just as well taken care of as the people who work there. The project at Butzweilerhof shows how existing areas can be activated for new supply models.”
The construction period was around three months. The project is an example of how existing commercial properties can be repositioned through targeted conversion and adapted to changing market requirements. AREAL supports owners in further developing existing areas and creating sustainable usage prospects for their properties.
