Projects

50Hertz Netzquartier

Cooperation -
four eyes are better than two

Typologie Office building Location Berlin Construction volume GFA approx. 25,400 m², GV approx. 105,000 m³ Client 50Hertz Transmission GmbH Architecture LOVE architecture and urbanism in cooperation with kadawittfeldarchitektur (1st construction phase: LP 2-8, 2nd construction phase: LP 8) Interior 1st construction phase KINZO Berlin Realisation 1st construction phase: 2014–2016, 2nd construction phase 2023-2025 Competition 1st prize – 2013 (2nd stage) – LOVE architecture and urbanism Certification DGNB Gold, Diamond supplement; LEED Gold Award Iconic Awards 2017 – Winner, German Sustainability Award 2017 – 3rd place, BDA Berlin Audience Award 2018, Nike Architecture Award 2019 – Nomination

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©HG Esch

The office building is part of the new 85,000 square metre Europacity urban quarter, which is being built on a former railway site in the centre of Berlin, directly north of the main railway station.

 

#New construction of an identity-defining, sustainable office and administration building for 50Hertz Transmission GmbH in Berlin city centre.

The new headquarters of transmission system operator 50Hertz is located in Berlin’s Europacity, next to the National Gallery of Contemporary Art and just a few metres from the main railway station. The design is based on a competition entry by the Graz-based architectural firm LOVE architecture and urbanism ZT.

The open and inviting building consists of flexible office decks connected by an external supporting structure. As a reference to 50Hertz, the striking zigzag pattern of the sloping façade supports is reminiscent of the frequency of alternating current.

 

©HG Esch

Located on the central Heidestraße, the building’s iconic architecture helps shape Europacity.

©HG Esch

The façade combines iconic design with maximum transparency, interweaving interior and urban space.

©LOVE architecture and urbanism

Three architectural elements characterise the building: the horizontal planes, the striking external supporting structure and the orange cores. Two of them are slightly inclined.

The building derives its architectural impact from the interplay of three clearly discernible structural levels: the horizontal rhythm of the storeys, the striking external supporting structure and the orange cores visible behind the façades.

The external supporting structure spans the building like a net. As a defining architectural element, it resembles an alternating current curve, thus referring to the field of activity of 50Hertz. At the same time, it enables a column-free façade level in the interior and thus completely flexible use. The absence of individual diagonal struts creates a playful dynamic in the supporting structure while maintaining structural clarity.

©HG Esch
©HG Esch

With its iconic façade, the building has already won several awards – from the Iconic Award to the BDA Berlin Audience Award – and was nominated for the Nike Architecture Prize.

©HG Esch

The cores become a design element with their colour scheme. They stand out clearly behind the façade.

©LOVE architecture and urbanism

3rd floor

Inside, an open, communicative office landscape is created. Loggias divide this into manageable team areas and integrate the outdoor space into the working environment. They are places for informal exchanges or short breaks, but can also be used as alternative workspaces. At the same time, they structure the office space, creating differentiated zones for collaboration, exchange and concentrated work.

A flexible furnishing strategy supports this spatial diversity. The open-plan office spaces can be divided into open-plan, hybrid or closed team offices as required. During the planning phase, the individual departments were able to actively help design their working environments and adapt them to their specific requirements. This resulted in different working environments with individual characters – no two floors are alike.

©Werner Huthmacher

The interior design is by KINZO.

©HG Esch

On the first floor, an outdoor terrace extends the canteen and offers outdoor dining areas.

©Andreas Horsky

Loggias and roof terraces on all levels integrate the outdoor space into the working environment.

©LOVE architecture and urbanism

In addition to the spacious foyer and the event and conference area, there is also a nursery on the ground floor.