Unified in Form
Berliner Sparkasse's New Headquarters
In 2024, Johannisthal welcomed far more than just another office building—a complete new office campus was unveiled. You might assume it's tucked away on the periphery, but think again: the campus sits conveniently close to the innovation hotspots of Technologiepark and Adlershof's media district, and just a stone's throw from the heritage-listed Schöneweide railway depot across the B96. The centerpiece is a striking dual-tower structure spanning five floors that will serve as the new headquarters for Berliner Sparkasse. The design is the work of Tchoban Voss Architects.
Buildings B1 and B2 represent the first phase of an expansive new campus. The two cubic structures can function as separate office spaces or be unified into one interconnected facility, linked by glass bridges spanning the second and third floors. Each building features interior courtyards and generously planted roof terraces at the third-floor level—each covering 265 m²—designed as welcoming retreat spaces for employees. Twenty covered loggias are distributed across all four floors, offering flexible outdoor workspaces that adapt to weather conditions. Above the post-and-beam ground floor, three upper stories rise with a striking curtain wall of white aluminium elements arranged in a staggered grid pattern that shifts progressively from floor to floor. The fourth floor features expansive six-part panoramic windows that add visual lightness to the façade. Glass balustrades line all windows and loggias, optimizing natural light throughout the interiors. The entire complex is fully accessible and barrier-free by design.
Building B1 announces itself through a grand, welcoming entrance. From B2, a circulation corridor connects to the inner courtyards, providing access to conference facilities, training rooms, and the on-site dining hall. District heating supplies warmth to both buildings, while concrete cores embedded with heating and cooling elements optimize energy performance and maintain comfortable interiors. The landscape design—encompassing outdoor spaces, courtyard greenery, and roof gardens—was created by Topotek 1 Landscape Architects and Holzwarth Landscape Architecture. In every material and system choice, the project adhered to rigorous ecological and economic standards, earning it DGNB (German Sustainable Building Council) gold certification.
Photography:
HGEsch
www.hgesch.de
(Featured in CUBE Berlin 04|24)
