Sumit Singhal Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination.
Gas and Steam Power Plant Winning Proposal in Wedel, Germany by HENN
July 16th, 2013 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: HENN
In the outskirts of Hamburg, on the banks of the Elbe sits Wedel, where a new, energy-efficient gas
and steam turbine power plant is planned for the former coal-fired power station site.
The new power station is positioned to the north of the river bank to allow the uninterrupted riverside
promenade passage open to the public. While the majority of the existing station has been
demolished, individually striking industrial relics and architecturally significant elements, such as the
listed machine hall, are retained and put to cultural use.
An important component of the design is the envelope of the new power station building, which
creates a vibrant setting for the processes taking place within. Water as the energy carrier, the
changing state of various units, lightness and variability suggest the model of a cloud for the facade
design. The sides of the building are divided into transparent and opaque areas constructed in fairfaced
concrete, semi-transparent structural glass, glass blocks, reinforced concrete and glass profiles.
The variously reflective surfaces of the building change in appearance with the weather and position
of the sun, symbolically describing the function of the power station. Exposed building components,
such as chimneys, tanks and the air capacitor, are constructed in reflective steel plates and accentuate
the industrial character of the complex.
The side of the power station facing the Elbe is made particularly visible to the public. The translucent
glazed façade makes the internal processes perceptible from the outside. At night, the bright illumination
reflects the activity level inside the operating power station. When a great deal renewable
excess energy has been stored, the power station is at its maximum brightness. When the energy
storage capacitor is not in use, the illumination is correspondingly soft.
The open space design, with its broad green belt surrounding the power station site, seeks to integrate
the public footpaths and natural areas into the project. South of the power station and along the
Elbe, a green platform in front of the power station widens the popular riverside walking route and
creates a landmark meeting place with an extensive view of the lower Elbe.
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