Green Bunker

High-rise bunker becomes a green highlight

Impossible to miss, the bunker at Heiligengeistfeld has been an integral part of Hamburg's St. Pauli district since 1942. Once a place of refuge during the Second World War, the bunker has been extended and lavishly planted with greenery, making it a symbol for the sustainable conversion of historic buildings. Today it is home to over 20,000 plants, accommodates hotel spaces, restaurants and recreational facilities and offers a new concept for use for residents and visitors.

Reference details

Type of Building Districts and mixed use buildings
Product areas Windows Doors Facades
Schüco Systems FWS 50 AWS 75.SI+ AD UP 75
Features Refurbishment Famous Building
Location Hamburg, Hamburg
Completion 2022
Architects phase 10
Specialist company Alusysteme - Metallbau
Picture credits © Matthias Plander

Successful conversion

The listed bunker has been expanded significantly: the pyramid-shape of the bunker roof houses five new floors, providing an additional 10,000 square metres of usable space for hotels, restaurants, shops and entertainment. Many of these areas are accessible to visitors free of charge. Particular highlights include the green roof garden on the sixth floor, the park-like communal areas and the mountain path that you can use to walk up around the outside of the building. The numerous plants stay green all year round and offer habitats for small animals and insects. At the same time, the greenery improves the microclimate and cools the building, meaning less energy is required to control the climate in the bunker during the summer months.

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Important witness to the changing times

During the second World War, the bunker offered protection against air strikes for up to 25,000 people. Remnants of things like ammunition repositories still serve as a reminder of this time. Memorial and information centres have been established in the bunker to maintain a culture of remembrance. After the Second World War, the bunker became famous as the first editorial office of Axel Springer Verlag and as the broadcasting centre for the Tagesschau news programme, hence it also became known as the Hamburg Media Bunker. Additionally, the bunker gained recognition in the 1980s as a popular venue for concerts and cultural events. With the new concept for use, the bunker continues to be a vibrant place for social involvement and an example of a highly successful transformation.

Product information

FWS 50

Schüco Façade System FWS 50

High-performance mullion/transom façade with 50 mm face width – the basis for a variety of solutions

The Schüco FWS 50 façade system is an impressive basic system for façades and skylight areas with a high level of flexibility and attractive design options, including optimised fabrication and installation processes. Thanks to a broad system range, solutions for the most varied requirements and applications can be implemented.

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AWS 75.SI+

Schüco Window System AWS 75.SI+

Improved thermal insulation, security and fabrication

The optimised Schüco AWS 75.SI+ (Super Insulation) standard window system for the 75 mm basic depth is part of the Schüco AWS system platform and forms the basis for a range of applications in energy-efficient building envelopes. Depending on the architectural requirements, the highly thermally insulated aluminium system can be used as a punched opening, ribbon window, façade insert unit or in combination with Schüco door systems.

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AD UP 75

Schüco Door System AD UP 75

Universal use as heavily used commercial door and stylish entrance door

Excellent insulation properties combined with high stability – the Schüco AD UP 75 door system with a 75 mm basic depth offers high functional reliability for all requirements in luxury residential and commercial buildings.

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Robust aluminium systems in action

By adding five additional floors, the bunker has increased in height by 18 metres to a total of 58 metres. Due to the significant wind loads, robust aluminium units such as the FWS 50 mullion/transom façade were used in conjunction with the AOC add-on construction and the AWS 75.SI aluminium window with ALB large louvre blades, as well as the ADS 75.SI and ADS 65 door systems. In order to meet current fire protection requirements, fire doors from the ADS 80 FR30 series were used.