In the skies above Berlin

The GSW office block                               by  sauerbruch hutton architects

Building

 Concept

Energy Concept

 Structure 

Photo Gallery 
GSW is the largest housing association in Berlin. In addition to the original 17 storey head-quarters, there is a new curved 22-storey block, no more than 11.5m wide, which allows for natural light and natural ventilation. With its yellow, green and blue aluminum drum on top of the baguette, this is a distinctive and environmentally friendly building.

As a registered EXPO 2000 project, the GSW building is an example of the successful harmony between man, nature and technology. The head office of GSW Gemeinn–tzige Siedlungs- und Wohnungsbaugesellschaft Berlin mbH is located at Kochstrasse 22 in Berlin-Kreuzberg, a stone's throw away from what was formerly Checkpoint Charlie. The new building, which was completed in 1999 - designed by sauerbruch hutton architekten - adds three sections onto an existing multi-storey building which dates from the fifties: The "old building", a 17-storey office block, is surrounded by the new "Pillbox", a flat construction and the 22-storey curved high-rise building.

Overall, approximately 24,500 m˛ of office and shop space are available - including approximately 1,700 m˛ for businesses and gastronomic outlets - and 900 m˛ for special areas (conference zone, etc.). 163 underground car parking spaces and a mechanical parking system for 228 passenger cars are located beneath this ensemble of buildings.

This construction, which has been highly praised by the specialist press due to its urban design and architectural qualities, is also impressive as a result of its sustained energy concept. The most striking element of this concept is a convection facade on the west side of the building, which represents the core section of a natural ventilation concept. Colored sun screens, which can be adjusted for each room, form the continuously changing facade profile. In combination with the use of storey ceilings as storage elements, and the exploitation of day/night temperature differences, energy savings o f up to 40% energy are realized. With the GSW building, an attempt is being made to considerably reduce the energy consumption of an office block with passive - i.e. architectural, not technical – means.

A high level of energy is normally required in order to create satisfactory working conditions in a building in the center of a major city: Office buildings are equipped with an air conditioning system, in order to guarantee a high residence quality and clean air. However, the GSW building does not merely offer special technical engineering and ecological features, but also futuristic standards with regard to rentability.

 

 

 

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