After an eighteen-month corona break, it was finally time again on August 30, 2021: Europe’s largest network for sustainable construction, the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB), once again invited guests to the “DGNB on the Road” event series. The building professionals chose a very special destination for this: the construction site of Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier in the southern part of Hamburg’s HafenCity. In June 2021, Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier became one of the first projects ever and the first major project to be awarded the new DGNB pre-certificate for sustainable construction sites. Accordingly, there was a lot for the participants to experience both on and off the 67,000 square meter site.
Whenever the German Sustainable Building Council invites to the event series “DGNB on the Road”, the focus is always on an exciting showcase project. On Monday afternoon, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) had the honor of welcoming 35 members of the DGNB community to Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier construction site in Hamburg’s HafenCity district. But first, getting to know all the participants was on the agenda at the 25hours Hotel directly opposite the construction site. In addition to the official welcome, the round of introductions and the exchange of news from the DGNB universe, there was the opportunity for interesting networking discussions and exciting presentations on the topic of sustainable building. This was followed by the highlights of the day: a guided tour of Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield showroom and a visit to the construction site – naturally in compliance with all applicable safety and hygiene regulations.
3D model, cruise terminal and mobility concepts
The participants got an impression of the finished quarter at the first stop of the exclusive tour: the showroom at Sumatrakontor directly opposite the construction site. The 3D model and the virtual reality tour provided a multi-sensory experience of the finished mixed-use quarter. Karen Mester-Lichtsinn, Marketing Manager at Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, used her example to explain what future visitors, residents and those working here can look forward to from the planned opening in the second half of 2023.
Construction site as a reflection of corporate strategy
Afterwards, the tour continued to the construction site: In front of the panorama of huge cranes, the first building contours and sunshine, Senior Construction Manager Viktor Eskioglou and Senior Sustainability Manager Thomas Kleist explained to the participants all the details about the construction progress and the underlying sustainability approach. At the place where in the future a wide promenade, diverse possibilities of shopping, living and entertainment as well as the architectural highlights around the twin towers LUV & LEE or the sky sail will be located, the participants learned for example that URW uses special low-carbon concrete, wood from legally verifiable sources and recycled steel for the concrete reinforcement. In general, Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier is a reflection of the company-wide sustainability strategy “Better Places 2030”, explained the two URW managers: concrete sustainability standards in the areas of construction, procurement, use of building materials, use of resources and subsequent operation were adapted into the concept for the large-scale project from the very beginning.
Positive conclusion
Thomas Kleist’s conclusion was positive throughout: “Whether theory in the hotel or practice in the showroom or on the construction site – in the end, it was worth it for all participants and we at Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield are very proud that we were able to present our special project in Hamburg’s HafenCity to the DGNB community, as well as our underlying sustainability strategy. We are already looking forward to the next edition of “DGNB on the road”.”
