Brainergy Hub, Jülich, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany building development, German modern architecture

Brainergy Hub in Jülich, North Rhine-Westphalia

21 August 2025

Design: HENN

Location: Jülich, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Images © HENN

Brainergy Hub in Jülich, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

As an innovation center and incubator for renewable energy research, Brainergy Hub brings together the community from the surrounding science park, start-up companies, external experts, and visitors. The circular new build
provides spaces for collaboration, presentation, and communication. Their interior design replicates and develops the architectural concept that embodies the transition to a green future. At the same time, it leaves its distinct mark using bold colors and large-scale typography. Materials and sustainably manufactured products are used sparingly and thoughtfully.

As a place of innovation, Brainergy Hub combines creative work with focused activities. The interior design as such becomes a source of inspiration. Its experimental, stimulating nature is created by the exposed structure of the building, which includes wooden columns, walls, and ceilings, as well as unclad building services complemented by functional metal surfaces and sturdy furniture made of laminated wood and recycled materials.

The authentic atmosphere evokes the creative potential of a workshop while inviting active engagement with the spatial elements.

The open ground floor is designed as a communal space. In the lobby running along the building’s central axis, ideas can be presented and shared in the ‘pitch arena.’ Playfully designed areas instigate informal interaction.

In the center of the building, a spiral staircase connects to the upper floors. Four office units are arranged around the staircase. A “living room” welcoming employees from all areas leads to the workspaces, which include an open-plan area, smaller offices, and meeting and workshop facilities. Glass walls provide transparency and connectivity The circular shape of the architectural floor plan continues as a leitmotif in the interiors, where it is transferred from the macro to the micro level: from modular furniture made of circular segments, including the expansive seating landscapes in the lobby, to modular tables, and round stools.

The use of wood creates connections throughout the building and instills a warm, natural atmosphere. Colors, forms, and finishes complement this effect with a contrasting play between hard and soft materials, round and square shapes, and untreated and painted surfaces. Distinct colors are used at the building’s intersections to create a sense of identity and to provide guidance. While a deep blue shade dominates the lobby and public areas, each of the office units features its own distinct look involving different colors. Furniture, carpets, and wall claddings use color gradations and shades to establish four rich, monochromatic color worlds.

The dynamic typography designed by Büro Uebele is embedded in the floor as an eyecatching feature. It combines a guidance system with a poetic text layer and emphasizes the vibrant atmosphere of the lobby.

The Brainergy Hub’s interior design implements an authentic material appeal while creating a unique building – a sustainable, inspiring place for a community that is shaping the energy transition at this venue.

Brainergy Hub in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany – Building Information

Architects: HENN – https://www.henn.com/en

Competition: 2021
Construction start: 2024
Completion: 2027
Scope of work: LP1 to LP9 HOAI, object and general planning, interior design
Typology: New build
Client: Brainergy Park Jülich GmbH
Site area: 39,400 sqm
Gross floor area: 9,700 sqm
Measurements
Diameter 73 m
Height 18 m

Floors
1 below ground,
4 above ground

Workstations: 300
Program: Office, Co-working, Canteen, Conference and event space

Sustainability certificate: DGNB Gold (envisaged)
Architecture: HENN

Project team
Partner in charge: Daniel Festag
Project director: Thomas Quisinsky
Design Principal: Martin Henn

Alexandra Berger, Giovanni Betti, Dirk Breuer, Sandra Dehli, Leticia Duque-Llerandi, Maciej Elert, Ona Forss,
Silvia Forster-Golm, Oliver Franke, Frank Gebler, Denise Gellinger, Lars Gilz, Lorenz Harzer, Justus Honigbaum,
Rachna Kothari, Marcin Kropidlo, Emiliano Lupo, Jan-Philipp Maiwald, Gencay Maurer, Axel Mierisch, Fabian Reckers, Anatolii Romanov, Michael Sadomskyj, Silvana Scheve, Mira Schröpfer, Ine Spaar, Olha Todosiychuk, Nikitas Vrotsos, David Webb, Sam Weston, Cansu Yeni

Interior team
Partner in charge: Katrin Jacobs
Project director:Katharina Schramm

Anna Ćwik, Tiffany Taraska, Lotta Wulf

Competition team
Partner in charge: Hans Funk, Martin Henn

Leander Adrian, Ferdinand Fleckenstein, Carlota Gomez Touet, Oliver Koch, Marcin Kropidlo, Klaus Ransmayr, Michael Sadomskyj, Andre Serpa, Sam Weston

Landscape architecture: Latz + Partner

Consultants
Buro Happold GmbH (structural engineer, building services)
Müller BBM (building physics – thermal protection, acoustics, media planning)
hhp Berlin (fire protection)
Schöne Neue Welt Ingenieure (façade)
Kempen Krause Ingenieure (DGNB certification)
K & P Planungsbüro GmbH (kitchen planning)
ComConsult (IT technology)
hmpartner (media planning)
Büro Uebele (signage)

Sustainability concept
Energy
– Building os connected to the Brainergy Park‘s low-ex district heating network
– Heat pumps for efficient heating and cooling
– Rooftop and circulation-ring photovoltaic systems generate electricity
– Energy storage for surplus production
– Heating/cooling panels integrated into interior spaces
– Decentralized ventilation with heat recovery and night cooling
– High-efficiency air-conditioning system

Materials and façade
– Modular timber-hybrid construction demonstrates the potential of natural,
low-carbon materials
– Innovative, decentralized ‘breathing’ façade units alternate between supply and
exhaust, providing high indoor air quality, up to 90% heat recovery, and increased
comfort
– External sunshading reduces solar heat gain

Water management
– On-site stormwater utilization within the building
– Newly created lake acts as a retention basin for park-wide stormwater runoff

Biodiversity
– Embedded within a diverse natural biotope that moderates the urban microcli
mate and mitigates heat island effects
– Green roof and planted courtyards contribute to habitat and cooling