As one of Hamburg’s largest office buildings, the new SPIEGEL publishing house building has been a prominent feature of eastern HafenCity since 2011. Drees & Sommer engineering experts played a key role in ensuring that the new building combines communication-enhancing architecture, energy sustainability, and outstanding economic figures. 

A team of Drees & Sommer experts was entrusted with the general planning for the project in 2007. The specialists took on the organizational and technical responsibility for ensuring smooth interaction between the façade/room conditioning trades, which are crucial for planning and execution. The landlord and tenant also aimed for green building certification. 

This comprehensive approach is demonstrated by the compact, double-skin façade with integrated wooden window sashes, which Drees & Sommer helped to develop as part of the general planning. It is a perfect example of how aesthetics, functionality, ecology, and economic considerations do not have to be antithetical notions.  

The green building concept combines economic efficiency and environmental friendliness. To this end, the engineering experts developed a solution that, in addition to the façade, harmonizes the indoor climate and energy requirements and relies on, among other things, geothermal energy and component activation. This resulted in Ericusspitze 1 winning a total of four gold medals from the HafenCity Label.