Energy center

Scope of services: LPH 1-8

To supply the new Ludwigshöhviertel residential area in the south of Darmstadt, entega AG is building a new energy center on a prominent site at the entrance to the neighborhood. The site is located at an acute angle between Ludwigshöhstraße and the junction with Granitstraße. 
The design by fs|architekten was selected for implementation in a small planning competition. 
The building has a compact design and integrates all the necessary functions and facilities into a single structure. The façade with rounded corners follows the curves of the road, thus making optimum use of the site area. The sculptural façade design, made of vertical metal moldings, constantly changes its appearance as you drive by due to the play of light and shadow, making the building an interesting object that shows different proportions when viewed from different perspectives.

A special feature of the design is the way it works with the terrain, which slopes down to Ludwigshöhstraße by approx. 2 m. The natural slope of the terrain is used to create a partial basement. At this point, the building is approx. 8 meters above ground level and has a clear room height of more than 10 meters. This is where the roof surface reaches its highest point. It is designed as a monopitch roof and slopes downwards against the slope of the terrain, so that the building appears to be two stories high towards the street and only one story high towards the neighboring buildings. The roof surface is covered with photovoltaic elements that cover the energy requirements of the headquarters. 

The entrance area is shielded on the side facing away from the street and is defined by a recess in the building volume and a large glass façade that can be opened for the purpose of replacing equipment. It provides natural lighting for the building and allows a view of the technical equipment, making the function of the building visible. 
The reddish-brown tone of the facade is an abstract reminiscence of the classic buildings of the industrial age, while the form and use of the material are clearly contemporary and give the building its own unique character.