Unilever Hauptverwaltung

Hamburg, Germany

Photo © Adam Mørk

Photo © Sabine Vielmo

Photo © Adam Mørk

Manufacturers: Nimbus Group GmbH

Location: Hamburg, Germany
Year: 2009
Architect: Behnisch Architekten Stuttgart
Architekt: Behnisch Architekten Stuttgart

Unilever's new corporate headquarters (Behnisch Architekten, Stuttgart) in Hamburg's HafenCity (Port City) sets new standards with its unique energy concept.

Light constitutes a central element of the building. Highly efficient Nimbus LED luminaires light up 35,000 square metres on 6 levels.

Hamburg HafenCity, Strandkai 1 – the best address in Hamburg you can possibly imagine: right by the river Elbe and in the middle of the epochal HafenCity project, with the cruise terminal and the riverside promenade just a few steps away and the Port of Hamburg directly opposite. Unilever Germany has chosen this sensational location for its new headquarters. But it isn't only the location that is unique. The building itself, designed by Behnisch Architekten, Stuttgart, sets new standards in every respect. The six levels surround the heart of the building: the spacious, daylight-filled atrium, which invites passers-by to stroll around the ground floor level and pass the time away in shops, a cafe and a restaurant. At the same time it also serves as a central communication space for Unilever's 1,200 or so employees: light, openness and transparency characterise the working areas while connecting elements such as stairs, bridges and ramps facilitate spontaneous and inspiring communication.