From brownfield to vibrant district centre
The Hanover Vahrenwald office and commercial building was honoured with the Brownfield Award 2023 as a perfect example of the sustainable conversion of derelict or underused areas. This award recognises outstanding achievements in the development of commercial properties on brownfield sites.
The award-winning commercial building is the result of an impressive transformation of a brownfield site into a vibrant district centre. Previously, the site was severely affected by difficult ground conditions due to explosive remnants of war, gas pipes and the underground railway running in the immediate vicinity. The responsible project developer and client LIST Develop, in collaboration with the general contractor LIST Bau Nordhorn, has succeeded in transforming a derelict site into a modern and multifunctional property that is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also meets the many needs of the resident companies and users.
With an innovative approach and a clear focus on sustainability, LIST Develop has ultimately contributed to the revitalisation of the surrounding area and brought a new vibrancy to the neighbourhood.
Project overview
- 1,900 m² REGUPOL sound 47
- EPD (Environmental Product Declaration)
- Cradle to Cradle Bronze certification *)
- Winner of the Brownfield24 Award
- LIST Develop successful at Brownfield24 Award
- Total gross area: approx. 25,000 m²
Liveliness without restlessness
Of course, liveliness should not go hand in hand with restlessness. The task of ensuring harmonious integration into the surroundings, generating high footfall and at the same time creating a modern working environment was not easy. The mix of retail space and the sensitive office and hotel concepts on the floors above also required an intelligent soundproofing concept and strong solutions.
Specifically, the market operations of the neighbourhood suppliers (food store chain REWE and drugstore dm) and the needs of the hotel guests of the B&B Hotel and the users of the high-quality office space offered by Design Offices are diametrically opposed. For example, the hotel guests' need for peace and quiet, especially in the early hours of the morning. The concentrated working atmosphere, which is a basic need for users of the office and coworking spaces. And, of course, the creative and undisturbed hustle and bustle within the conference and meeting spaces. But all of this can be reconciled.
An important part of the effective sound insulation measures was the elastic decoupling of the heavy-duty floors of the two stores. For this purpose, the REGUPOL sound 47 screed insulation membrane was installed over an area of 1,900 m² so that the structure-borne noise from these levels does not spread to the sensitive floors above and the high sound insulation requirements can be met.
Sustainability as another key aspect
The contractual requirement to use sustainable building materials reduces the use of resources under the supermarket floor. As a secondary building material whose raw materials already had a previous life, REGUPOL sound 47 can save a considerable amount of CO2 compared to primary building materials. Thanks to an EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) and Cradle to Cradle Bronze certification, these benefits are also effective and measurable for the sustainability concept and life cycle assessment of such mixed-use developments.
*) Cradle to Cradle Certified® is a registered trademark of the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute (C2CPII).
