Featuring a new promenade along the banks of the Rhine, the shopping centre creates an attractive public space on a former industrial site. For the first time in its history, the city of Ludwigshafen is properly embracing its riverside location. Inside, the emphasis is on economic and ecological sustainability – from the light-filled architecture to the use of district heating and locally sourced building materials The centre has been awarded a Gold DGNB certificate.

Measures to reduce CO₂ emissions

• Use of district heating
• Heat recovery via ventilation and air conditioning technology
• High proportion of daylight thanks to huge skylights
• Management of rainwater
• Use of locally sourced building materials
• Brownfield recycling: use of former industrial site
• Within walking distance of city centre

Eco-balance
Some 18 kg/m² of CO₂ per year will be saved compared to the DGNB reference figure. For the entire complex, that corresponds to approximately 180 tonnes of CO₂ each year, which is the equivalent of the CO₂ emissions caused by the annual electricity consumption of 1,196 two-person households.

A trademark feature with climate benefits
The architecture of Rhein-Galerie draws on the theme of flowing water, utilising elliptical shapes in the glass roofs. The most striking detail is the tent-like glass fibre canopy of the type often found at major sports venues. This ensures a comfortable temperature on the shopping levels and parking decks alike. Heat loss as a result of radiation and convection is successfully reduced.

Use of district heating
Heat is provided by district heating with a primary energy factor of 0. This reduces carbon emissions by around 140 tonnes per year compared to using conventional heating technology. Compact ventilation and air conditioning systems with integrated heat recovery allow twelve different zones within the centre to be controlled individually.

Natural ventilation even on the parking decks
Above-average availability of light on the two shopping levels offers visitors a quality experience as well as reducing energy requirements. The shopping centre also features natural ventilation which dispenses with artificial cooling and ventilation.
The open design of the parking decks removes the need for artificial ventilation of an underground car park. A translucent membrane roof provides protection from the elements.

Daylight reduces need for artificial lighting
For a shopping centre, Rhein-Galerie benefits from an above-average amount of daylight without additional heat build-up. The architecture incorporates 2,700 sq m of glass skylights alone. The biggest skylight measures some 65 metres at its longest point and is up to 30 metres wide. State-of-the-art bulbs are used both inside and out for exceptionally high efficiency. EIB controls and a DALI system for special lighting applications ensure a high level of flexibility.

From sky to river
All the rainwater that falls onto the building and site is channelled into the Rhine and thus into the natural water cycle. This avoids energy-intensive transportation and treatment of rainwater. Only water-saving fixtures have been installed in the mall itself. The customer toilets additionally feature waterless urinals.

Building for the future
The shopping centre sets benchmarks when it comes to sustainable building materials. Durability and environmental impact were key considerations when selecting materials. No tropical timber was used to construct the interior, only native timber from sustainably managed forests. Preference was given to environmentally friendly paints and varnishes. For the first time, tenants were likewise required to use green construction materials in their fit-out work.

Extension of the urban space
An industrial wasteland is no more, and the site has been successfully opened up so that people can stroll along a riverside promenade for the first time and use the new square as a meeting place. As an additional benefit, the outdoor space and eateries facing onto the square can be used by residents and visitors outside the shopping centre’s opening hours.

Convenient access
The mall’s central location gives it several direct links to the local public transport network. The Ludwigshafen Mitte suburban rail and main line station is just a few minutes’ walk away.

Attention to quality in every detail
Rhein-Galerie accommodates the needs of older people and those with mobility problems, as well as families. For example, there are plenty of extra-wide parking spaces plus an attractive children’s play area on the ground floor.

Intelligent solutions make efficient use of space
Efficient use was made of the total available space by stacking two parking levels above the shopping area. Building on a former industrial site meant that virtually no new land was required. Contaminated soil was also replaced, thereby improving the area’s ecology.