The Heidelberg Cement Group headquarters is designed to accommodate up to 1,000 employees. AS+P has embraced the client’s “Concrete Excellence” concept by highlighting concrete’s versatility and sustainability. This is evident in the building’s curved facade elements, the tree-like support structure of the atrium, and the ceiling of the gathering area — all showcasing concrete as a platinum-level sustainable material.
The new headquarters’ design draws inspiration from the existing architecture, reinterpreted in a fresh, modern style. Situated at the beginning of Berliner Strasse, the building interacts closely with surrounding green spaces. The site offers expansive views, allowing employees to enjoy the stunning scenery of Heidelberg. This project also marks the start of development in the adjacent area along the north bank of the Neckar River.
The architect intentionally set the building back from the plot edge to create a front yard that marks the main entrance. Three cube-shaped structures face the Neckar River, arranged with a staggered layout that enhances visual appeal and aligns with the internal organization. Each of the three courtyards serves as a focal point for the respective building sections, yet the parts merge seamlessly into a cohesive whole.
The central axis cleverly connects special areas and entrance halls inside, providing a space for up to 1,000 employees to interact and communicate. The design offers multi-level, diverse workspaces that extend outdoors, blurring the boundaries between interior and exterior to form a unified environment. The modular facade design differentiates the three building blocks while captivating viewers with its elegant simplicity. The subtle rhythmic pattern of the facade echoes the flowing waves of the nearby Neckar River.
AS+P employed curved facades to emphasize concrete’s potential for lightness and delicacy, aligning with the group’s core business. Carefully crafted prefabricated white concrete components form a continuous network that envelops the three blocks in a clean, regular shape. The facade’s exterior wall components utilize photocatalytic cement, which interacts with air pollutants to improve air quality.
The facade structure reflects concrete’s plasticity, multifunctionality, and aesthetic qualities. Its soft, rounded forms distinguish it from traditional concrete exteriors, establishing a unique identity for the building and its environment. Transparent glass facades reveal spacious entrance halls, gathering areas, and interconnected communication spaces, enlivening the exterior and providing visual connections to public spaces and the surrounding community.
The building offers 200,000 cubic meters of enclosed space, providing flexible floor layouts. The first floor includes an elegant foyer, a large conference area with multiple meeting rooms, and a gathering space equipped with a commercial kitchen. Thanks to a 1.45-meter grid system, the office layout can be configured in numerous ways, enhancing the building’s sustainability and adaptability for the future.
Project Information
Architect: AS+P
Area: 52,599 m²
Completion Year: 2020
Photographers: Julian Salamon, Thilo Ross
Design Team: Dipl.-Ing. Axel Bienhaus, Dipl.-Ing. Kathrin Gallus, Dipl.-Ing. Ralf Braun, Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Corina Beautiful
Client: HeidelbergCement AG
Structural Engineer: Wulle Lichti Walz GmbH
Fire Safety Consultant: Burckhardt, Pabst + Partner Ingenieure + Architekten
Kitchen Planning: Ingenieurbüro Martin Scherer
Location: Heidelberg, Germany
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up