Indemann

The Indemann is a toy-like observation tower standing on the Goltsteinkuppe spoil heap near Lucherberg in Inden. Its 36-metre steel frame supports twelve viewing decks reached by 216 steps or a lift to 24 metres. At night 40 655 LEDs on 1 470 square metres of cladding turn the tower into a glowing landmark. Dutch architects Maurer United designed the structure, while Cologne’s ag4 media facade and Düren’s GKD Gebrüder Kufferath produced the stainless-steel mesh. The project won a Merit Award from the American Society for Environmental Graphic Design. It was built in two years and opened in September 2009. Visitors find three circular platforms offering wide views over the Inden open-cast mine and the Weisweiler power station. Nearby a restaurant and a 2 000-square-metre playground opened in 2012 and 2010. A football-golf course was added in 2013, completing the leisure zone around the tower.