UNStudio Unveils NION: Germany's Most Sustainable Office Building

The proposal by UNStudio for NION, an advanced office tower spanning over 45,000 m2 in Frankfurt's Europaviertel, has been chosen by Groß & Partner to be further developed. The building will be among the most eco-friendly office structures in Germany, designed with a focus on ESG goals and innovative, energy-efficient technology to conserve resources.

NION can be found at the intersection of Europaviertel West and Europaviertel East, situated in a vibrant and dynamic urban neighbourhood. Known for its mix of residential, commercial, and leisure amenities, this community has been undergoing steady growth and transformation since 2005.

Uncompromising sustainability
“A comprehensive sustainability and ESG approach for NION has been at the forefront from the beginning“ states Jürgen Groß, managing director of Groß & Partner. “The tower will offer great added value to its surroundings, not only in terms of design but above all climatically and ecologically”.  

NION has adopted a sustainable approach that takes into account both environmental and social considerations. The building, which has been certified with a DGNB Platinum rating, is designed to have an abundance of greenery and utilizes a low-carbon, load-bearing structure. The use of prefabricated components and a modular supporting structure is intended to minimize waste and increase efficiency during construction. Additionally, sustainable, recyclable, and circular construction materials are employed to reduce the environmental impact. The design also prioritizes spatial efficiency and future-proofing by incorporating flexible floor plans.

The NION project incorporates sustainable features that respond intelligently to weather conditions and demand. It utilizes a photovoltaic facade, rainwater management, and geothermal heating and cooling systems that provide 30-40% cooling and 70% heating efficiency. In addition, the building boasts smart management systems, demand-based air conditioning, LED lighting, energy-recuperating elevators, e-charging stations with intelligent load management, and green and open work environments. The building design also minimizes solar gain by utilizing a 50% closed facade.

NION goes beyond environmental sustainability and also prioritizes social sustainability. The building includes programming that encourages communication, gathering, and knowledge sharing. There are also semi-public spaces that feature dining establishments, a bakery, and a cafe on the ground and first upper floor, as well as partially public urban space in front of the building's base.

Intensive greening

NION's design incorporates greening in addition to passive design strategies and advanced building technology. The site, located within the Europa-Allee urban green corridor, aims to enhance biodiversity and ecological benefits while improving the microclimate and promoting well-being for visitors and occupants. 

The design was optimized in collaboration with UNStudio and OKRA landscape architects, as part of Frankfurt's green network. The building's two intersecting volumes feature cutaway corners in the northwest and southeast, accentuated by a profusion of verdant greenery.

The design of NION's cubature takes into account its surrounding environment, including nearby buildings and its prime location next to the park. The building's angled facade surfaces contrast with its cut-out corners, which taper from the seven-story base building and follow the lines of the surrounding perimeter block development. This design choice unifies the different urban scales and visually divides the building into a tower and podium at the vertical intersection of the inner corner on the northwest side, creating a more slender appearance. 

The green corners of the building serve as a focal point along the route into downtown Frankfurt, while light and dark elements structure the wide facade elevations to differentiate the volume. NION's external articulation incorporates vertical greenery that anchors it within the cityscape. This greenery is also incorporated throughout the project, from the green lobby to the semi-public interior space in the base, as well as green zones on the office floors, green terraces, and roof gardens. 

The design aims to enhance the working climate and create a harmonious relationship between the interior and exterior spaces.

 

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Courtesy of UNStudio - Visualisations ©MOARE