The 50Hertz Netzquartier

The corporate headquarters of the transmission system operator 50Hertz - the so-called Netzquartier (NQT) - is located in the immediate vicinity of Berlin's main railway station. It is therefore not only very well connected in terms of public transport, but also part of a new lively area of Berlin. Its direct neighbour to the right is the museum ‘Hamburger Bahnhof - Nationalgalerie der Gegenwart’, which is one of the most historic places in Berlin. Previously not accessible, the area is now recognised as a cultural monument and open to the public. At the same time, however, the NQT is also part of a completely new part of Berlin, the Europacity, also called the Heidestraße development area. Here in the Moabit quarter, on an area the size of 83 football fields, a new mixed urban district is currently being created step by step.

The Netzquartier was designed by LOVE architecture from Graz, which won an architectural competition against 17 other applicants in 2012. Construction of the 13-storey building began in 2014 and was completed two years later in September 2016.

The building has a striking net-like external support structure and a floor space of almost 17,400 square metres. This space includes 680 workplaces, seven conference rooms, numerous socialising areas, a Kindergarten close to the company as well as a café and a its own restaurant. The interior spaces are designed to meet the needs of the employees. The open design concept offers a great amount of flexibility and can be use individually as well. The modern office landscape offers countless possibilities for collaboration. Balconies designed inwards, create smaller team areas with a pleasant atmosphere.

The Netzquartier is a pioneer in terms of energy efficiency and sustainability: It was the first building constructed worldwide to be awarded the DNGB diamond certificate by the German Sustainable Building Council and received the American Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standard for sustainable building.

There is a photovoltaic system on the roof of the building. The energy generated is used for the supply of the Netzquartier.

The expansion will provide more desk space for energy transition jobs

As a transmission system operator, 50Hertz ensures the reliable power supply in the north and east of Germany. In order to continue to fulfill this task successfully in the future, and to achieve Germany’s ambitious climate protection goals, it will require powerful grid infrastructure, along with qualified personnel to make it a reality. In 2022 alone, the transmission system operator hired 250 new employees. In 2023, at least as many positions are to be filled again.

In order to create a good working environment for the many new employees, according to the latest standards, 50Hertz is further expanding the building in Heidestraße. By 2025, 380 new workplaces will be created here, as well as numerous communication areas for the energy transition. On a floor area of 8100 square metres, seven storeys are growing into the sky - and one under ground. The extension is directly adjacent to the existing 50Hertz building and will also have its distinctive exterior facade.

As an employer, 50Hertz values a good, healthy and family-friendly working environment. For this reason, the 50Hertz Kindergarten "Energiebündel" (run by Dussmann KulturKindergarten), which is close to the company, will be significantly expanded. Instead of 25 places, there will be 35 places for children between the ages of three months and six years. And not just for the children of 50Hertz employees, but also for families from the nearby residential area. During the current construction phase, the Kindergarten was relocated to interim quarters in the immediate vicinity of the 50Hertz NQT.

The Netzquartier's energy efficiency

• The NQT is the world's first DNGB-certified building in Diamant.
• The PV system on the 13th floor has a peak output of 15 kW and has generated approximately 92,000 kWh of electricity by the end of 2022.
•  Due to the interaction of the facade and the building services, the requirements of the Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV) are significantly undercut. The primary energy demand is 49 percent below the prescribed guideline value.
• The 50Hertz building has efficient sun protection: more than 1000 motorised, wind-stable external venetian blinds with 93 mm blackout slats and track guidance are used.
• Another special feature of the building is the additional intelligent shading correction, with room-by-room solution. Depending on the time of year and the position of the sun, neighbouring buildings cast shadows on the windows of the Netzquartier, making additional sun protection superfluous.