Industrial landmark as a structural statement of the energy revolution

Constructed between 1908 and 1910, the gas tanks supplied the city with gas for decades and could store up to 160,000 cubic metres of fuel. The imposing steel structure, which was granted listed building status in 1994, has been a defining feature of the cityscape as a symbol of Berlin's Industrial Age. After being decommissioned, however, the building stood empty for a long time – until the site became part of the EUREF-Campus innovation park and the new owners presented a project to re-design the landmark.

The comprehensive renovation of the enormous gas tank commenced in 2007. The iconic steel construction was fully preserved, while the space on the inside was radically re-designed: a 15-storey office tower with around 35,000 m² of usable space was integrated into the circular floor plan – visually floating within the old ring and maintaining a respectful distance of one metre from the original structure. This created modern office spaces, flexible-use event areas and an apartment on the upper floor. This means the Gasometer is equipped to meet the requirements of the 21^st Century, without sacrificing its former character.

The façade construction in particular shapes the appearance of the new office building: the closed glass façade engages in an exciting way with the historic steel structure. Built as a special construction, the unitised façade features smooth curves, slimline profile face widths and uniform façade lines that come together to create a timeless design. Thanks to the tested system structure with engineered attachment details at the fixing points and clearly defined interfaces, the project could be fully controlled at all times, even within the confined space on site. The large wind loads at a height of over 70 metres and the accompanying loads for external sun shading also had to be considered. CTB from Schüco is able to withstand these loads and creates a balance between climate protection, the use of natural light and a restrained design for increased user comfort.

The façade units were fully prefabricated in the workshop, complete with glazing, gasket levels and mechanical attachments, then delivered to the building site ready for installation. This ensured fabrication was possible in any weather with the best machining quality and easy-to-calculate costs. The high level of prefabrication greatly simplified the construction site logistics, reduced installation times to a minimum and ensured that even an extraordinary building like the Gasometer could be fitted with an attractive, energy-efficient building envelope in a very short period of time. Its incredible installation scenario – with only one metre's width of space between the steel construction and building shell – was handled with confidence. A specially developed track system transported the units, which were up to eight metres tall and two tonnes in weight, precisely around the building before they were craned in at their installation height. The unitised construction method enabled fast, reliable and ultra-precise installation – a key factor for a project of this scale.

Thanks to the comprehensive renovation, the Gasometer has become a symbol of a new beginning. The building is now the central element of the EUREF Campus, supporting digitalisation, innovative energy use and international meetings with stunning panoramic views over Berlin. The project proves that the architecturally complex re-designing of decommissioned gasometers can be an economical, reliable and sustainable process, while also offering inspiration for the conversion of numerous other industrial buildings that are waiting for their future.