Saint-Gobain Glass at BSU Behörde für Stadtentwicklung und Umwelt - Hamburg, Germany
The Office for Urban Development and Environment (BSU) at Hamburg-Wilhelmsburg is a benchmark for futuristic, sustainable building spaces. An edifice of an environment-friendly, ecological and economical architectural agenda, it is yet another landmark for what green building glass can do to raise the bar of sustainability. Saint-Gobain's customized glass solutions lent the optimum balance between aesthetics and functional benefits, creating a stunning picture of contemporary architecture.
Designed by Sauerbruch Hutton, the BSU Behörde für Stadtentwicklung und Umwelt, incorporating green building glass in good measure, is an architectural marvel by all means. The main tower of the colourful and curved new building rises to a height of 54 metres. Like waves, two five-storied wings extend from it, which, in turn, are subdivided into seven "houses". In the black facade, colourfully patterned bands consisting of a total of 26,000 glazed ceramic panels in 20 different colours are integrated: they lend the building the typical patchwork look envisioned by the architects.
The building features exhibition spaces, restaurants, a library, a conference center, an amphitheater and other facilities. The architect's vision to reduce the building's energy consumption was met by Saint-Gobain's suite of green building glass. A judicious mix of the glazing solutions, spanning 7000 sq.m. of glass, provided the benefits of natural light, while providing thermal insulation and protection from severe sunlight.
The range of Saint-Gobain glass solutions that were used were SGG Climatop Solar Control, SGG Climatop Ultra N, SGG Contour, SGG Stadip Emalit and SGG Emalit. The triple-glazing, green building glass variants collectively enhanced the eco-friendly quotient of the vibrant structure.
The German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) has honoured the ambitious design and the building in advance with a preliminary gold certificate. The colourful facades, clothed in green building glass, are a reminder of its sustainable initiatives, making BSU Behörde für Stadtentwicklung und Umwelt one of the most energy-efficient office buildings in Germany...
