Style and substance
Zalando Headquarters
Berlin, Germany
Project details
Client
Zalando SE
Architect
HENN Architects
Duration
2015 – 2018
Services provided by Buro Happold
Building Services Engineering (MEP), Structural engineering, Sustainability
The new Zalando Headquarters unites the various departments of Europe’s largest online fashion retailer for the first time. Across two seven storey buildings, 2,700 employees now enjoy 42,000m² of high quality workspace, right at the heart of Berlin’s sought after Friedrichshain corporate campus.
Challenge
Providing integrated engineering across several aspects of the project, Buro Happold was tasked with developing solutions that meet our client’s high energy performance requirements.
Another key part of the overall concept was the exposed building services systems, which form part of the headquarters’ visual expression as a ‘living machine’. With this in mind, it was critical for our team to successfully integrate building services systems within the architectural design, ensuring optimum performance while realising the architect’s intent.
As well as its aesthetic appeal, this structural solution is highly sustainable. The concrete surfaces maximise the use of thermal mass, which helps to buffer the temperature gradient between day and night. In addition, avoiding the use of paint or other finishes reduces the carbon footprint.
Martin Strewinski, Office Director
Solution
Our engineers used BIM throughout the design process to integrate efficient yet elegant building services solutions. This enabled us to successfully incorporate daylighting, night cooling, acoustic measures, a sprinkler layout and cleaning gantry into the roof structure.
We took a similarly clean approach to the structural elements, which are also exposed. Fair-faced reinforced concrete has been used throughout, while the atrium walls, columns, slabs and stairs are designed to appear as one.
Value
Using intelligent engineering solutions, we were able to realise a contemporary, low energy building that has achieved DGNB Gold certification. As well as providing outstanding facilities for staff, the new headquarters is a flagship building for the Zalando brand.
