A vehicle depot becomes the Mall of BR.
A lighthouse project for circular construction.
In the town center of the German capital, Vollack revitalized a former vehicle hall with a floor area of 1,100 square metres on the Berlin Recycling company premises and transformed it into a sustainable, loft-like office environment. Architecturally, the building is based on the engineering steel construction of the 1960s as a rhythmic primary structure. The industrial character has been retained and has become an attractive part of the modern working environment.
The so called Mall of BR is a pioneering flagship project for circular construction and a meeting place for the circular economy in Berlin. The office building skillfully combines historical heritage with modern aesthetics and innovative work concepts.
In order to conserve resources and take ecological aspects into account, the outer walls and the steel frame as well as almost all of the hall's roof purlins were retained. The existing floor slab was reused and only filled to the final level. Wooden façade modules, with real wood acoustic panels on the inside, were blown in with cellulose insulation made from recycled paper. They create a pleasant working atmosphere, dampen noise and give the room a unique aesthetic. The durable larch wood comes from sustainable forestry. The zinc façade panels not only lend a modern aesthetic, but are also recyclable.
Upcycling materials and an
elaborate energy concept.
The furnishings are also made from upcycled materials: the carpet is made from 100 percent reprocessed polyamide and the terrazzo flooring contains reused granulate. Pendant lights made from recovered materials contribute to the reduction of electronic waste. The materials used not only contribute to ecological compatibility, but also show that sustainability and design can go hand in hand.
The energy concept emphasizes sustainability through a geothermal heat pump in conjunction with a combined heat and power unit, a photovoltaic system with battery storage and natural ventilation. The smart and flexible lighting with presence detectors and modular room structures ensures that energy consumption is optimized for efficiency.
Electricity consumption is optimized by automatically adapting the lighting to the presence of people. All measures contribute to reducing CO2 emissions and underline the commitment to environmentally friendly energy sources.
A place of inspiration.
The Mall of BR is not just an office, but a place of inspiration, creativity, history and a visible sign of ecological responsibility
The Mall of BR is Berlin Recycling's largest upcycling project. It is characterized by a holistic approach to sustainability. I am convinced that this is the future of construction.
Bianka Rieder,Managing Director at Berlin Recycling, the medium-sized Berlin waste management company with high sustainability standards