UP!Berlin - Transformation of a reinforced concrete large-scale structure

The overall project can be seen as a pioneering example of resource-saving construction in existing buildings. By using the existing primary structure to a large extent, a CO2 equivalent of almost 8500 t was saved compared to a comparable volume of new construction and limited material resources such as gravel and sand were saved. At the same time, a striking office building was created in the urban space, which has unique interior spaces that can be designed and used in many ways. The project's progress showed the great importance of extensive preliminary investigations for design and construction in existing structures, which, in addition to the design analysis and the recording of geometries suitable for deformation, should, above all, include thorough material investigations. In the project, some of these fundamentals were not established until the realisation phase and led in some places to iterative adjustments of plans, schedules and costs. However, surprise moments such as local material failure can never be eliminated entirely. Thus, the design and construction of existing buildings remain an unavoidable challenge for planners and clients in the future. A new topic in this context is a design-accompanying life cycle assessment in the early project phases to find the right balance between the requirement of minimising emissions and consumption of new material resources with the potential of the existing building stock and its further use.