PROJECT DETAILS
Exemplary Revitalisation:
Hamburg District Court Building Features Heritage-Sensitive and Sustainable Façade Solution by WICONA
The historic office building of the Hamburg District Court on Caffamacherreihe has undergone extensive refurbishment. The focus of the renovation was the heritage-sensitive yet sustainable revitalisation of the building’s historic façade. A project-specific window and façade construction from WICONA, made from the aluminium alloy Hydro CIRCAL, was used.
Caffamacherreihe is a traditional street in Hamburg’s Neustadt district, home to the well-known Emporio Tower, various office and commercial buildings, and the 1915/16 building at number 20 – now housing parts of the Hamburg-Mitte District Court. Originally built as offices for the judicial administration, customs clearance, and an auction house, the building is a defining feature of the streetscape, characterised by its striking façade of large window openings, red brick columns, and subtle projections.
Heritage-Compliant Façade Renovation
As the existing façade, especially the windows, no longer met today’s energy standards, the owner, Alstria office Gänsemarkt Drehbahn GmbH & Co. KG (Hamburg), opted for a comprehensive refurbishment. The main goals were to improve thermal insulation and solar protection (in line with KfW subsidy criteria) while meeting heritage preservation requirements – for instance, regarding the reflectiveness of the glazing.
Combining Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
In addition to energy efficiency, sustainability played a key role in the project. The renovation was designed to be as resource-friendly as possible, with a minimal carbon footprint. Aluminium components and glazing from the original façade were carefully removed, separated by material type, and prepared for recycling. Mario Schmitt, Deputy Sales Manager for WICONA’s West regional office, explains: “The recycled aluminium elements were reused by WICONA in a new project. This is not downcycling – it’s a prime example of high-quality recycling!”
Project-Specific Façade Design with Low Carbon Footprint
In collaboration with glass and façade specialist Hunsrücker Glasveredelung Wagener GmbH & Co. KG (Arnold Glas Group, Kirchberg), WICONA developed a custom stick façade system with insert windows based on WICTEC 50 for the three main sides of the building – all designed to meet the strict heritage guidelines.
Project Manager Peter Tückmantel from Wagener explains a key innovation: “To improve thermal performance, the glazing includes internal muntin bars within the insulating glass unit. This smart solution replicates the original appearance without dividing the panes themselves, maintaining the historical look.” Following the same principle, 88 additional windows (around 240 m²) were also renovated in the inner courtyard.
All window and façade systems used were made with Hydro CIRCAL 75R – a sustainable aluminium alloy containing at least 75% post-consumer end-of-life aluminium. It has a certified carbon footprint of just 2.3 kg CO₂ per kg of aluminium.
Renovation During Ongoing Operations and Challenging Site Logistics
A unique challenge of the refurbishment was that the court had to remain fully operational throughout the project. Office closures were not an option, so the installation team had to work in sections. Additionally, the tight site in the city centre and the need to erect scaffolding on public pavements made construction logistics particularly demanding.
