German Biomass Research Centre

  • Location: Leipzig
  • Client: Federal Republic of Germany
  • Realisation: 2014 - 2020

The German Biomass Research Centre (DBFZ) carries out research on the use of biomass for the production of energy. Set up in 2008 and housed on a largely undeveloped brownfield site in Leipzig, this German government research establishment needed a headquarters building with new offices and a pilot plant complete with production facilities and laboratories.

The project follows the maxim: “wood as far as the eye can see”. In addition…
The project follows the maxim: “wood as far as the eye can see”. In addition to a largely timber load-bearing structure, both the building shell and interior use wood wherever possible. All the facades, for instance, are clad in timber panels cut into different widths and painted black.
The office building and pilot plant are located between one of the main arterial roads…
The office building and pilot plant are located between one of the main arterial roads into Leipzig city centre and the existing DBFZ facility, which sits behind them. The remainder of the site has been redeveloped according to an orderly framework.
The new forecourt welcomes visitors to the research establishment, …
The new forecourt welcomes visitors to the research establishment, …
…while the five-storey office block with adjoining conference centre makes it visible from afar. The…
…while the five-storey office block with adjoining conference centre makes it visible from afar. The non-colour version of the DBFZ logo contrasts with the dark-coloured timber cladding.
The office building was the first multi-storey timber building in the German state of Saxony.…
The office building was the first multi-storey timber building in the German state of Saxony. Only the reinforcing stairwell cores constructed in reinforced concrete.
The remainder of the load-bearing structure of the individual floors consists of laminated timber slabs…
The remainder of the load-bearing structure of the individual floors consists of laminated timber slabs and cross-laminated timber panel walls with timber studs.
The load-bearing structures were prefabricated, delivered in sections and assembled on site. Where fire safety…
The load-bearing structures were prefabricated, delivered in sections and assembled on site. Where fire safety regulations permitted, the structure was left exposed.
Wood and other natural building materials dominate the interior right down to the pictograms of…
Wood and other natural building materials dominate the interior right down to the pictograms of the signage system, which are cut from sterling board.
In the pilot plant, the firewalls in the production facility are of untreated fair-faced concrete,…
In the pilot plant, the firewalls in the production facility are of untreated fair-faced concrete, while the roof marks a return to the principle that underlies the project: “wood as far as the eye can see”.