Build Better Buildings with Anja Kristina Köhler

Raised in Berlin, Germany, Anja began her journey in architecture, but soon found herself drawn to the broader impact she could make in real estate.

I studied architecture, that was my entry into the real estate world, I did that at a technical university in Berlin. And then I realized architecture is nice, but not the right thing for me.

She often traces her path back to a single professor who nudged her toward real estate development, a field that matched her strategic and analytical way of thinking. TU Delft quickly became the clear choice, one of the few places where real estate is explored in a truly comprehensive way, covering law, finance, planning and stakeholder management.

During her studies, one project in particular captured her attention:

Edge’s De Rotterdam. She immediately understood the ambition behind it, and that early spark led to an internship and eventually a full-time role. By the time she graduated, her career was already underway, contract signed and future set in motion.

From the start, it was about ownership

From intern to leader, Anja’s journey at Edge has mirrored the company’s own evolution.

I started on the product innovation team. At the time, our mission was already broad, beyond just sustainability. We were building Edges DNA.

What does she remember most about those early days? The freedom.

There was no micromanaging, just great mentorship, she laughs. You were like a mini entrepreneur. You had to define your own agenda, every morning. And that shaped me.

EDGE Olympic holds a special place in her heart. The building opened on the same day she started, and it has shaped her career ever since. Today her work spans countries and disciplines, a natural progression for someone whose journey began in a building designed for innovation and collaboration.

Redefining Sustainability as a Moving Target

Ask Anja what sustainability means, and you won’t get a fixed definition. Instead, you’ll hear a mindset.

Sustainability evolves because the world evolves. Tenant expectations shift. Investor priorities shift. Regulations tighten. So we adapt. Always.

Edge’s philosophy is now anchored in a broader product DNA that brings together six core pillars: sustainability, health, social connection, design, technology and building operations.

These aren’t marketing terms; they are, quite literally, the foundation for every Edge building. The holistic approach is the same, but the details are project-specific. That’s the Edge DNA.

On Leadership

In six and a half years, she has worked with managers of three different nationalities, giving her a clear sense of how leadership at Edge functions. She learned early on that it is not defined by instruction but by critical exchange, open dialogue and trust in people to bring their own strengths and perspectives into the work.

Now that she leads a team herself, she continues that approach. She has built a team defined by varied expertise and viewpoints, mirroring her belief that strong projects emerge from interdisciplinary thinking. In sustainability, this diversity is essential, since the work constantly deals with wicked problems that require multiple ways of thinking at once. She often notes with a smile that this complexity is exactly what keeps the job exciting.

The Future Is Built by Pilots and Partnerships

Anja believes in daring to experiment. Edge is known for piloting bold innovations like the ice storage in EDGE Friedrichspark or cutting-edge photovoltaics used in The Pulse.

We test, we try, we learn, and then we implement it in the next project. We collaborate with startups and open the table not only to our own teams but also to external thinkers. Low-carbon solutions are never a solo act; they are team efforts built on shared vision.