Swiss Life Headquarters Energy and Cost-Saving Workplace

Swiss Life Germany relocated 700 employees into their newly finished headquarters, close to the Garching University campus at the northern boundary of Munich. A key factor in Swiss Life’s selection of this site was its accessibility to their employees.

Location

Munich, Bavaria, Germany

Client

SwissLife AG

Architect

Ackermann Architekten BDA

Project Status

Completed in 2015

Energy and Cost-Saving Workplace

Swiss Life intended their new head office to make an iconic statement in the area. Its unusual “G” shape facilitates wellbeing within the office spaces by creating a building that is both highly functional and accessible. With open space, retreat areas and silent zones, the modular building enables efficiency for every type of work. The selection of colours and the extensive use of glass contribute to an uplifting work environment.

The building’s gross floor area totals 33,000m² including flexible office spaces, a courtyard and a roof terrace. Its design allows the company to accommodate future needs, whether it be changes in size or use, such as sub-letting. Meeting rooms are centrally located to encourage interaction between employees. In addition, the building provides sports facilities, a guest casino and designed cycle and walkways paths.

Key Numbers

Size

33,000 sq. m 33,000 sq. m

DGNB Gold Overall Rating

73.9% 73.9%

Savings in operating costs

15% 15%

WSP’s multidisciplinary mandate enabled our project team to provide the client with comprehensive advice, including sustainability, project management and planning services. Great importance was placed on sustainability to meet the project’s green agenda in accordance with the German Sustainable Building Council’s (DGNB e.V.) specifications. The building was certified ‘DGNB Gold’ with an overall rating of 73.9% and a particularly high score for Ecological and Economical quality. The sustainable building design was implemented throughout the construction process, and the materials used followed the ecological ‘norms’ for buildings.

The office’s low energy consumption is mainly attributable to the triple glazing and thermal insulation. In addition, the concrete core’s temperature control system provides an efficient and sustainable way to cool the building, while a LED lighting system was installed throughout the building, both indoors and outdoors.

The sustainable design initiatives resulted in a 15% savings compared to average building operating costs.