Netzquartier 2.0 — Berlin (D)

50hertz is located in the center of Berlin, in the immediate vicinity of the main train station, adjacent to the government district, which includes the Reichstag and the Federal Chancellery. The first building section was completed in record time, back in 2016, by around 680 employees. This work received numerous awards and prizes, and it is acknowledged as a reference icon when it comes to informal and communication-oriented workplace concepts with a strong identification factor. At the beginning of 2023, construction of phase 02 started for another 400 employees.

One thing that is remarkable at first sight is the facade of the building with its external support structure. It envelops the structure like a net – on the one hand, it constitutes a reference to the company’s corporate purpose as a network operator; it also recalls the engineering-style appearance of high-voltage pylons, substations, transformer systems, and the like. In addition, the external structure allows for a column-free facade level inside the building. As required by the company, what this means is that the interior area is completely flexible. The facade is crossed by several balconies on each floor. They serve as outside seating areas, outdoor workspace areas or places for short breaks.

Inside is a completely open and communication-oriented office landscape – one which nevertheless avoids a large-scale character. The numerous push-in balconies add to this effect, zoning the interior area into smaller, more intimate team areas. In the middle of the two room units this creates a transparent green space which serves as a connecting/separating element with a patio effect.