EDGE ElbSide – A sustainable landmark in Hamburg's HafenCity
EDGE ElbSide, the second EDGE building in the Elbbrücken district of Hamburg's HafenCity, sets new standards in sustainable construction. The energy-optimised office building combines numerous innovative solutions that enable energy savings and promote a green future. From the slim-floor design to photovoltaic systems and modern automation systems, EDGE ElbSide maximises energy efficiency. Insulating glass units made of Pilkington Suncool™ solar control glass contribute to the energy concept. They block out the summer heat, improve the indoor climate and ensure a pleasant, daylight-flooded ambience thanks to their high light transmission – perfect for the well-being of the occupants.
After two and a half years of construction, EDGE handed over the building to the energy supplier Vattenfall, which will move in with around 1,400 employees from spring 2024. The modern new building comprises a seven-storey base building and a 17-storey tower, in which office and catering facilities are integrated.
As the main tenant of the 17-storey smart building, Vattenfall occupies more than 80% of EDGE ElbSide's space. The office floors are customisable, and organically designed to enable flexible, modern working environments. Bright atriums and winter gardens integrated on several levels create communication spaces that support activity-based working and encourage dialogue. At the same time, thanks to natural ventilation and preheated fresh air, these zones offer efficient climate control and significantly reduce energy consumption. The result is a comfortable workplace that meets the high standards for employee well-being.
The slim-floor construction method used, in which prestressed hollow-core concrete ceilings and composite steel beams of the same height serve as load-bearing elements, reduces CO₂ emissions by almost 50% compared to conventional concrete buildings and thus ensures an excellent carbon footprint.
The façade
The façade of the EDGE ElbSide extends over more than 12,000 m² and is designed in various styles. The 10,800 m² main façade is a unitised aluminium façade with special Schüco profiles and vertical, ceramic pilaster strips, which are designed identically on all four sides of the building. Ventilation flaps on the windows allow natural ventilation and ensure a pleasant indoor climate.
The glazing of the windows features Pilkington Suncool™ 70/35 high performance solar control glass. The glass has been processed into safety triple glazed units, with a g-value of 33% and allow 64% of daylight through. In areas with increased sound insulation requirements of 44-49 dB, the outer pane was made of laminated glass. The glass is neutral in appearance and provides a pleasant reflection of light.
Four impressive, transparent glass winter gardens characterise the appearance of the building. These consist of mullion-transom façades with special profiles from Schüco that combine transparency and aesthetic elegance. Pilkington Suncool™ 70/35 was also used here to achieve a harmonious look with the main façade. The winter gardens have glass roofs with a load-bearing steel structure and a Raico add-on structure. The safety glazing with solar shading fulfils high standards and is even accessible.
The ground floor and mezzanine also have steel mullion and transom façades with Raico add-on constructions. Pilkington Suncool™ 50/25 was chosen here, which is particularly suitable for summer heat insulation with a g-value of 23%. The neutral-looking glazing harmonises in colour with the windows of the main façade and winter gardens and ensures pleasant light reflection.
The EDGE ElbSide building fulfils the highest standards for sustainability and the well-being of its users. The aim is to achieve the HafenCity Platinum and WELL Core & Shell Gold building certificates, which emphasises the focus on environmental friendliness, health, and comfort. The building thus sends a strong signal for a sustainable future and a modern working environment.
Property details
Project development: EDGE Hamburg 2 S.à.r.l., represented by EDGE Technologies
Architect: Behnisch Architekten, Hamburg - Stuttgart
Specialist engineer: Werner Sobek Stuttgart AG, Stuttgart
Façade planning: Kammeyer Fassadenberatung, Syke
Façade construction: FKN Group, Neuenstein
Glass technology consulting: Flachglas Markenkreis GmbH, Gelsenkirchen
Base glass: Pilkington Deutschland AG, Gladbeck
Insulating glass: Flachglas Wernberg GmbH, Wernberg
Photography: HG Esch