Sustainability Report
Embodied carbon
For this project, the most effective embodied-carbon strategy is to retain the existing building, rather than replacing or demolishing it. The project preserves the existing reinforced-concrete structure and core load-bearing elements, limiting structural intervention to essential functional improvements. This reduces the need for new raw materials and avoids the substantial upfront emissions associated with constructing a replacement building. The strategy also extends to the building envelope and interior:
- Existing structure retained: The reinforced-concrete structure and major load-bearing elements were preserved.
- Natural stone retained and reused: Approximately 70% of the existing natural-stone cladding was preserved and remounted after being carefully dismantled to allow installation of thermal insulation. The remaining stone was sourced regionally to match the historic material.
- Existing furnishings refurbished: The original concert-hall seating frames were retained rather than replaced. They were structurally preserved and upgraded through reupholstering and technical maintenance.
- Existing materials restored: The natural-stone façades and foyer walls were restored, with around 70% of the stone panels retained and reused.
- Adaptive reuse: The existing concert-hall structure was upgraded for contemporary acoustic, technical, accessibility and operational requirements rather than replaced.
- Regional sourcing: New stone required for the façade was sourced regionally, reducing transport-related impacts.
Operational Emissions / Energy
The renovation incorporated several measures intended to improve the building's operational energy performance:
Energy-optimized building envelope
The existing envelope was upgraded while retaining its architectural character. Modern thermal insulation and airtightness measures were incorporated into the restored envelope.
Energy-optimized foyer facade
The original foyer facade was replaced with an energy-optimized post-and-beam glass facade. New solar-control glazing improves thermal performance and provides additional summer heat protection.
Renewed building services
The building services were completely renewed, allowing contemporary technical requirements and energy-performance expectations to be incorporated into the existing building.
LED lighting
The lighting concept uses LED backlighting behind Corian panels, while existing concert-hall lighting fixtures were reused where possible.
Reuse rather than replacement
The project also indirectly reduces operational and maintenance demands by reorganizing circulation, integrating the elevator into the building volume, and improving the functionality of the foyer and other spaces.
Service and maintenance emissions
The project places significant emphasis on extending the service life of existing materials and components. Key measures include:
- Retaining and restoring the existing natural-stone façade.
- Reusing approximately 70% of the existing stone panels.
- Retaining the existing concert-hall seating frames and reupholstering them rather than replacing them.
- Reusing existing lighting fixtures.
- Refurbishing existing architectural elements instead of wholesale replacement.
- Using durable materials appropriate for heavily used cultural spaces.
- Reducing the material palette and introducing new components selectively rather than extensively rebuilding the interior.
- Using linoleum flooring products with documented durability and environmental credentials.
- Introducing reversible mechanical connections for new fit-out elements, facilitating future replacement or modification.
Afterlife
The project considers adaptive reuse very strongly and preserves a historic building while enhancing its lifespan and functionality as a cultural asset. Adaptive reuse is a key principle, focusing on the preservation and comprehensive upgrade of the post-war concert hall rather than replacing it. The renovation meets modern acoustic, technical, and accessibility needs while maintaining the original structure. The renewed building also gains additional programmatic flexibility through:
- A new multifunctional hall on the upper floor.
- A reorganized foyer.
- The expanded Förde Foyer.
- A new bar and social spaces.
- Provision for informal musical use through a grand piano.
- More flexible stage operation through new lifting platforms.
- Improved circulation and accessibility.
- Technical infrastructure capable of supporting contemporary concert-hall requirements.
The new interior fit-out emphasizes sustainability with components designed for future deconstruction. Features like bespoke Corian wall cladding and rolled-steel fixtures use mechanical connections instead of permanent adhesives, supporting circular economy practices by allowing future alterations without damaging materials. The approach includes:
- Dry, reversible connections
- Mechanical fastening
- Hanging systems that can be removed
- Avoidance of glued composite assemblies
- Mono-material construction where possible
- Separation of materials at end of life
- Avoidance of non-recyclable composite insulation systems.
Key products in low carbon design
