The ensemble comprises a new hotel and a landmark skyscraper dating from 1964. The challenge is to refurbish a protected historic building in a sustainable manner. The only office tower in Hamburg’s city centre has been completely gutted. Two new storeys and a new double façade will be added, with the interior and technical systems being upgraded to meet modern office standards. Die Modernisierung des Gebäudes, der Fassade und der technischen Anlagen senkt die Betriebskosten für Heizung, Kühlung, Lüftung, Beleuchtung, Aufzüge und sonstige Verbraucher um über 61%. Union Investment strebt für das Hochhaus eine Nachhaltigkeitszertifizierung nach LEED-System an. Both buildings have already been awarded Silver DGNB pre-certification.

Measures to reduce CO₂ emissions

• Energy-optimised façade
• Passive climate control; controlled ventilation with heat recovery
• Modern, energy-efficient building services
• Water-saving sanitary fittings
• Rainwater harvesting
• Documented waste management plan
• Increase in density of an existing building, no permeable space utilised
• Green mobility due to two underground stations, various bus stops and a taxi rank in close proximity
• Openable windows and abundant daylight in the hotel

Listed façade with a double life
The listed façade will comply with future energy standards thanks to the incorporation of a highly insulated inner layer of glass that tilts and turns. Individually adjustable sun protection will be integrated into the space for back ventilation between the exterior façade and the tilt and turn window structure.

Heating/cooling ceilings and controlled ventilation with heat recovery
Climate control is by way of heating/cooling ceilings which can be controlled on a per-room basis. These ceilings feature copper capillaries filled with hot or cold water pressed into a C-profile heat-conducting rail that is connected permanently to a conductive aluminium ceiling panel. The panels also have a perfprated surface that absorbs sound.
The ventilation/air conditioning system recovers energy in a highly efficient way via controlled ventilation and heat recovery, with peak levels of 90% being achieved. Utilisation of district heating also serves to reduce  CO2 emissions.

Energy-saving options in lighting design
Motion sensors in the office space, ancillary areas and underground car parks yield an energy saving of up to 50%. The lights in the hotel rooms can only be switched on when a room is occupied, while in the corridors two out of three lights are normally switched off. The lighting for the façade of the office tower has a power rating of just four watts per window. To create a sophisticated lighting ambience while maximising energy efficiency, a lighting designer was commissioned to come up with a comprehensive lighting design for both inside and outside the building. The floor lamps at the individual workstations are fitted with motion and daylight sensors, and combine direct and indirect lighting.

Water-saving sanitary fittings
By installing water-saving fixtures in WC and sanitary facilities, water consumption and storage losses can be reduced in an efficient manner. The continuous flow heaters will only generate heat when required.

Rainwater recycling for watering
To supplement watering of landscaped areas, a rainwater retention basin is being built. This represents a significant contribution to conserving water resources.

Environmentally and user friendly materials
In accordance with LEED stipulations, user health and comfort is taken into account when choosing materials and relevant building materials have low VOC levels (paints and varnishes, adhesives, sealants and coatings, as well as carpeting and carpet adhesive).

Documented waste management plan
During construction work, a stringent documentation system ensured that all dismantled materials were sorted and either recycled or disposed of in an environmentally friendly way.

Decontaminated building
The entire building, including the underground car park, was cleared of harmful substances while preserving the shell of the protected historic building. The façade is of unitized construction, fixed to the unfinished floors, and can be dismantled in a non-destructive manner.

Experience well-being at the Scandic EMPORIO Hamburg hotel
It is not just the (partly) openable windows and plentiful supply of daylight provided by floor-to-ceiling windows that ensure a high quality user experience.  The highly flexible lighting options in the hotel rooms allow guests to individually tailor the lighting to their needs while also saving energy. In addition, simulation of temperatures and radiation exchange at the planning stage enabled higher comfort levels to be achieved, backed by analysis of potential asymmetries in the rooms. Fixed glazing elements and closed panels comprising a separate thermal barrier were incorporated out of sight between the ceilings, further improving the hotel’s indoor environment with regard to both thermal and noise insulation aspects.

A superb outlook for office tenants
The EMPORIO office tower stands out for its high level of climatic and visual comfort. Despite the building being nearly 100 metres tall, users will be able to ventilate their rooms naturally as desired. This is not normally possible in skyscrapers without a double façade. To ensure thermal comfort, a 3D simulation was used to demonstrate that there would be sufficient ventilation from open windows without draughts.
Furthermore, the temperature in individual offices can be adjusted by +/- 3 °C using a control unit in the room. Users can expect great lighting and views thanks to an exceptional façade grid of 1.90 metres, with some subdivision to allow more flexible floor plans.

Idyllic charm in the heart of Hamburg
The outdoor space being planned will also deliver a high level of user comfort. A smart, spacious area around the office building will invite people to stroll and relax. The open yet peaceful inner courtyard will be shared with the hotel and apartment block being built at the same time. The planting, water features and lighting effects will create an oasis of relaxation in the heart of the city. Public transport links are also excellent, with Gänsemarkt underground station and a bus stop directly outside the building, which is just two stops away from the main railway station. The airport is only 20 minutes away by suburban rail.

Generous floor plans – maximum flexibility
The floor plans of the office tower are designed to make highly efficient use of space and allow rental units of widely varying sizes. Up to 69 rental units – three per storey – are possible thanks to the Y-shaped floor plan. The spaciousness of the units permits maximum flexibility in terms of set up and use.

Art in the building
The outdoor space was also redesigned as part of the planning competition for the new build on the site. Urban planning considerations played a key role here, with the area being opened up for public access and the lighting supporting this design concept. Light axes delineate the main paths and the gradual steps that lead up to the area have integrated lighting elements.
The protected nature of the original historic building means that some works of art and decorative details from the 1960s have been preserved. The walls and floors on the ground floor have a natural stone finish, while the event area on the 2nd floor features wooden veneer. Several works of art are displayed in the foyer. Even the outdoor area is graced by a sculpture. Works in enamel adorn the lift doors on the ground floor. In some cases, works of art can be displayed in the space rented by individual tenants.

A new urban meeting point
From a sociocultural perspective, EMPORIO integrates into its surroundings by including a café on the ground floor of the high-rise block, an event room on the 2nd floor that can be used by third parties and an events/conference area on the 23rd floor which provides spectacular views of the port district and Alster lake.

Click here to visit the EMPORIO website