Behind the railroad tracks, in the south of Leipzig, the new southern combined heat and power plant rises with its characteristic, colourful cubes. It is the first combined heat and power plant in Germany that is completely operated with hydrogen. The new objects are basically made up of purely technical features. They are, in a way, an oversized engine block. But that also means that they could not be integrated in their surroundings without any further measures, because of the partly listed and very high-quality buildings around it. Under these circumstances the “Stadtwerke Leipzig” launched a design competition, which we could gladly win with our contribution of a “ceramic continuation”. The idea was to translate the exposed brickwork of the historic buildings with their yellow, brown, and reddish clinker bricks onto the three new buildings. Despite the solely technical function, the materials used for the facades were meant to create a high-quality appearance that corresponds with the surroundings and existing buildings. The material is therefore also fired clay. It was realized as a curtain facade, consisting of glazed panels with a fine, irregular vertical structure. Just the ground levels are still made of clinker brickwork. Meanwhile, its, partly sloping, finish imitates the silhouette and form of the roofing on the opposite side and still manages to create a further relation with its surroundings while also remaining independent.

Building project: Leipzig cogeneration plant | Façade design of the plant buildings
Client: Stadtwerke Leipzig, in cooperation with Fichtner GmbH
Invitation to tender 2020
Completion: 2023