Alnatura Campus Darmstadt / Germany

2015 – 2018

As the first of its type in Germany the former site of the US-Army Kelley Barracks is to be transformed into a unique place where it is possible to experience issues of healthy nutrition with organic products and sustainability. In a campus-like setting three areas, "Super-Nature-Market", "Organic Experience Farm" and "Office World", will all showcase the processes inherent to food production from the nurturing / tendering of crops through harvesting and marketing to the preparation, cooking and consumption.

The Alnatura Campus is complemented by a Kindergarten serving both staff and local residents.

The „Office World“ will offer exemplary working conditions for the staff of Alnatura responding to the demands of a future-orientated workplace. Sustainable construction techniques are illustrated by the intelligent selection of building materials and supported by the controlled application of energy-efficient technical equipment. The result is a „workshop“ where the constantly evolving forms of work, are clearly visible to the visitor.

The generous size of the site allows for optimal day lighting throughout the building. The asymmetric roof form allows northlight to flood into the atrium without unwanted solar gains. Workspaces for 500 staff cover 10,000 sqm, spread over 3 floors.

Regenerative materials such as timber and compacted earth, together with recycled materials, are employed throughout in the pursuit of a climate neutral building.

Materials

Rammed Earth Exterior Wall

Innovation with a 5,000-year-old building material:

The development of a highly innovative exterior wall, built of renewable resources, has been followed by the German Federal Environmental Foundation as well as the Technical Universities of Munich and Darmstadt. More than half of the materials in the rammed earth mix is sourced from the excavations of the major contruction project Stuttgart 21. A stone-clay base material mixed with porous rock fragments (serving as insulation) has been processed into large-format blocks in a temporary fabrication line installed in the former military buildings directly adjacent to the site.

The gray energy in the production, processing and a possible dismantling is basically zero. This shows that rammed earth is more beneficial compared to familiar natural products, such as wood or clay bricks. In a world-wide first, a geothermal wall heating system has been integrated into the rammed earth exterior wall. The longevity of the material as well as its excellent humidity regulation and heat storage capacity characteristics, leads to a building of stable, high value.

The surface of the rammed earth remains free of algae or moss formation, cleaning or specific care of the facade is not necessary. In the interior of building the porous surface not only contributes towards an improved room climate, but also substantially benefits the room acoustics. An appearance of simplicity and honesty can be retained for decades.

Alnatura Campus Darmstadt / Germany

Materials

Short Facts

The Team

#hcz_alnaturacampus