Cradle-to-Cradle Düsseldorf, NRW architecture design, Architect, German building project images

Cradle-to-Cradle in Düsseldorf

Hybrid Timber Construction Office Building, Germany design by HPP architects

13 Mar 2018

Design: HPP, architects

Location: Speditionstrasse 2, Media Harbour, Dusseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Innovation Award for Cradle to Cradle Project

HPP Architects’ design for the Düsseldorf timber hybrid house has been presented with an international award in Cannes

Cradle-to-Cradle

Düsseldorf’s first timber hybrid house will be distinguished at the MIPIM trade fair with the internationally-renowned MIPIM/The Architectural Review Future Project Award in the category Office. With its trend-setting circular economy concept, HPP’s design beat many international rivals to take the prize. In parallel to the MIPIM Award, which recognises completed projects and which HPP last received in 2015 for the modernisation of the Dreischeibenhaus in Düsseldorf, the MIPIM/The Architectural Review Future Project Award honours projects at the design stage.

Together with Ratingen-based project developer INTERBODEN, HPP Architects developed an innovative sustainability concept together and designed a unique architectural response for the project in Düsseldorf’s Media Harbour. “We are very pleased that this innovative and future-oriented project is now receiving the international attention it deserves”, says Vanja Schneider, Managing Director of INTERBODEN Innovative Gewerbewelten® GmbH & Co. KG.

In addition to the climate-friendly design, the building’s mobility concept is ground-breaking: On the ground floor, a service point for mobility, a so-called “mobility hub” for building users and neighbourhood residents, will be established. A characteristic feature of the building, which is scheduled for completion in 2021, is the diamond-shaped wooden façade construction, which integrates several functions: it performs the structural and shading functions as well as the natural ventilation concept and forms loggias offering views of the Media Harbour. In addition to the innovative wooden façade, the entire construction is timber hybrid. This means that various building elements, such as the load-bearing wooden ceilings, are reversibly connected to the filigree concrete ceilings.

In line with the “cradle-to-cradle” principle, individual components can be recycled after use, non-recyclable materials minimised and CO2 emissions reduced. The Cradle is thus not only a pilot project for Düsseldorf’s Media Harbour, says Gerhard G. Feldmeyer, Managing Partner of HPP Architects: “Designed according to the circular economy concept, the characteristic building is a visible sign of sustainable urban development. The award encourages us in our commitment to implementing this innovative project”.

Since 2002, The Architectural Review has presented the MIPIM/The Architectural Review Future Projects Awards, and today released in the official catalogue of the prize this year’s results in the twelve categories. The winners will be presented with their awards tomorrow evening in Cannes, concurrently to the MIPIM property fair.

21 Nov 2017

Cradle-to-Cradle Düsseldorf Building

HPP design cradle-to-cradle project in Düsseldorf

Düsseldorf’s first hybrid timber construction office building

Düsseldorf’s first hybrid timber construction office building is being developed according to HPP Architects’ designs. In late October the city council approved the HPP design. The building on Speditionstrasse 2 in the Media Harbour will be built by Ratingen project developer INTERBODEN and will open development on the southern part of Harbour A.

Approximately 5,200 square metres of office space, as well as 600 square metres of space for gastronomic use on the ground floor will be created between the Trivago and Heimathafen projects, which are already under construction.

The “Speditionstrasse 2” project is particularly characterised by the “cradle-to-cradle-principle ©”, whereby, according to the biomimetic approach to the design of buildings, individual components are recycled after use, CO2 emissions are reduced and the use of non-recyclable materials is minimized. The latter is reflected in the hybrid wood construction: The load-bearing timber ceilings are connected reversibly to concrete filigree roofs, thereby meeting sound insulation, fire protection and weatherproofing requirements.

“I am convinced that the principle will prevail in our industry, because it is more sustainable than ENEV, which rather promotes the production of stronger, non-reusable, and hard-to-dispose-of insulating materials”, commented Vanja Schneider, Managing Director of INTERBODEN Innovative Gewerbewelten® GmbH & Co. KG.

“Speditionstrasse 2” manages to retain a distinctive and singular appearance within the context of the Media Harbour, due to its characteristic diamond-shaped wooden façade structure. “The exposed location in Düsseldorf’s Media Harbour calls for a special and innovative architectural response for the new building at Speditionstrasse 2”, said Gerhard G. Feldmeyer, responsible Managing Partner at HPP Architects. The innovative wooden structure was created in integrated cooperation with structural engineers Knippers Helbig and Transsolar’s energy planners.

The façade performs structural and shading functions as well as housing the natural ventilation concept and provides loggias with a view on to the Media Harbour. The depth of the external wooden structure varies depending on direction: on the south and west sides it forms an effective, broad sun shade, on the north and east sides the depth is reduced. Baffles on the upper floors act as structural wood protection, as sound insulation in front of the opening windows and as a guardrail in the loggias.

The ground floor is constructed in concrete, such that baffles can be dispensed with in order to facilitate an open design and public access. The façade, which integrates all functions, creates column-free, open floor plans that allow for flexible use and a variety of layout options. Due to the immediate proximity of the 76-metre office building SIGN! by Helmut Jahn, the roof is constructed as the “fifth façade” and set-back staggered storey, integrating the HVAC/r systems and forming a rooftop terrace that runs around the circumference.

In addition to the climate-friendly construction, the building has a cutting edge mobility concept: a mobility service centre – the “mobility hub” will be positioned on the ground floor. Here, the building users and local residents will have access to a range of charging stations or car-sharing and bike-sharing services primarily geared to e-mobility.

Completion is planned for 2021.

Cradle-to-Cradle in Düsseldorf images / information received 211117

Location: Speditionstrasse 2, Media Harbour, Düsseldorf, north west Germany

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