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Completed in 2022, EDGE Suedkreuz Berlin is a landmark office complex near Berlin Südkreuz station, designed by Tchoban Voss Architekten. Comprising two distinct buildings—the Carré and the Solitaire—the development spans approximately 32,000 m² and marks a significant step forward in modular and low-impact commercial construction.
The Carré building, with around 20,000 m² of floor area, is Germany’s largest freestanding timber-hybrid structure and one of the largest in Europe. It employs a construction method that combines engineered timber with concrete, reducing both structural weight and embodied carbon.
Assembly was streamlined through prefabricated components, including 1,190 wood-hybrid ceiling units, 1,280 glulam façade supports, and 445 multibox wall modules. This modular approach not only accelerated construction but also supports future reuse, aligning with circular construction principles.
The building's components are documented through a comprehensive material passport, supporting traceability and enabling future reuse or recycling in line with circular construction principles.
The Carré is centred around a 26-metre-high atrium covered with a transparent ETFE foil roof, supported by an engineered timber truss. Four sculptural columns with branching forms anchor the space and support platforms connected by bridges and staircases. This configuration promotes natural light and informal visual connections across multiple floors.
The fifth floor includes a Sky Lounge with expansive glazing and access to a terrace overlooking the atrium. Interior design, led by de Winder Architekten, places emphasis on natural materials and adaptable layouts. The interiors accommodate both open-plan workspaces and private zones, supported by communal amenities like lounges and team kitchens.
EDGE Suedkreuz Berlin has received several certifications:
The building envelope features recyclable glass-fibre reinforced concrete panels that contribute to air purification by absorbing CO₂. Heating and power are supplied by biomethane-fuelled combined heat and power systems. Additional features include 218 underground parking spaces with electric vehicle charging points and over 130 bicycle parking spaces.
Since mid-2022, the Carré has served as the German headquarters for energy provider Vattenfall. The project demonstrates how timber-hybrid systems, modular construction, and digital material tracking can coexist in a functional, high-performing commercial setting.
For architects, consultants, and contractors interested in working more effectively with Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and material passports, EDGE Suedkreuz Berlin offers a clear example of how to integrate these practices at scale. It provides a replicable model for data-driven design that considers the full lifecycle of materials and building systems.
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