Industrial culture in its quirkiest form: An elliptical body made of 18 white, fiberglass-reinforced plastic cells with four lightning rod antennas has settled on the framework of a former mining tower. Its windows resemble oversized portholes of a submarine, and its bright spotlights look like position lights of a lunar lander, making the building structure appear even more surreal at night. It is therefore not surprising that this mysterious structure is commonly referred to as the Colani UFO in the area around its landing site, Lünen.
With the cessation of hard coal mining after more than 70 years at the Minister Achenbach mine in 1990, the search for meaningful subsequent use of the site began. A chance contact was made with the designer Luigi Colani (1928–2019), whose original design was implemented with funding from the International Building Exhibition Emscher Park. While elsewhere the harmony of historical and new elements was emphasized, in Lünen a sharp contrast was created with the UFO (also known as the "Colani Egg"): A hyper-modern, almost organically shaped plastic structure was placed on the steel mining frame from 1924, 71 years later.
Actually, the eccentric Colani wanted to develop a design district around his tower and settle there with a company. However, the project alliance broke apart in the conflict between the lofty plans of the grand designer and the grounded local politics. Colani did not come, and hopes for the design district were dashed. Instead, a technology park (Lüntec) was established on the old mining site, later also a start-up center. However, no long-term tenant was found for the offices inside the UFO.
Finally, it was decided to rethink the concept and converted the 8.50-meter-high space with its 20-meter diameter into an extraordinary conference venue by 2009. From up here, 30 conference participants can enjoy a 360-degree view all the way to the Dortmund television tower Florian, of course in freely chosen colored lighting and on fluffy high-pile carpet. In addition, a more inconspicuous but architecturally no less interesting counterpart was provided for the 300-sqm UFO. At the base, a three-story anthracite-colored glass cube soberly and elegantly complements the ensemble of the white UFO and the brick-red shaft hall located at its foot. On the area around the tower is the Lünen Technology and Founders Center (Lüntec). Here, economic development as well as start-ups and companies in the circular economy and health sector are headquartered.
Since April 2024, the Panoramalounge is also open to the public on selected dates. The reason is the removal of the funding obligation. Where commercial use was previously allowed only, the Colani Egg may now also be used for private purposes such as weddings or readings. A maximum of 30 people will then have access. Furthermore, the city of Lünen offers a guided tour of the office UFO once a month – including a panoramic view over Lünen.
