Project description by jury

The proposal shows a new Airbus factory building design which combines technical manufacturing constraints with environmental, functional and economic aspects. Supported by a data-driven approach, the project adopts a generative design process that enables the evaluation of trade-offs between a wide range of design possibilities, with the objective of optimizing environmental sustainability, working conditions and the well-being of occupants and financial resources. Out of the generated design scenarios, the architects ultimately opted for a V-shaped building where windows and skylights are strategically placed to enhance indoor comfort for the employees while reducing energy consumption.

As a Main category prize winner in the regional Holcim Awards 2020, Data Propelled in Germany automatically qualified as a finalist in the Global Holcim Awards 2021.

View Global Holcim Awards Entry – Data Propelled in Germany

The built environment has a significant role to play in addressing climate change and enabling the transition to a net-zero and more inclusive future. The Holcim Awards for Sustainable Construction global winners showcase the cutting edge of approaches to sustainable design, green architecture, and materials innovation. In the 6th cycle, a project from Switzerland won the Gold Award at both the regional and global levels. The global prizes were presented at a handover ceremony at the International Architecture Biennale in Venice, Italy. The regional Holcim Awards Main category winners for Europe were recognized at the same event.

Innovation and transferability

The project involves a generative design process that Airbus intends to re-use on future factory projects. In addition, the materials we are using have transferability. For example, we worked with Airbus to use low-carbon concrete, from CarbonCure, for the foundations. And through this process, we helped create the first low-carbon concrete factory of this kind in Europe. Airbus plans to use this concrete again, and since the process and equipment now exists in Hamburg, it is expected to be used on projects by others as well.

We approached the reduction of operational costs as an investment in materials that are carbon negative. Engineered timber trusses deployed in two simple bays store nearly three times as much carbon per meter as steel would emit. The walls, mezzanine, and roof are all-wood engineered timber panels. With no nails or metal fasteners, the panels have the potential to be reshaped for future use. The envelope eliminates the need for active cooling and optimizes lighting. North-facing skylights and strategic fenestration light 40% of the annual working hours in 100% of the footprint, accounting for future layouts. West facing geometry welcomes cross breezes across the deep floor plate, exhausting air through solar chimney skylights that double as fresh air circulators in all seasons.