New Heidelberg Congress Centre equipped with aquatherm red
"Welcome to the Heidelberg Congress Centre" has recently been the motto in the immediate vicinity of Heidelberg's main train station. With the opening of this event facility in 2024, Heidelberg (Germany) is establishing new benchmarks. The city aims to be a forward-thinking source of inspiration for both local and global companies and institutions. Boasting visionary architecture, spacious design, advanced technology, and gold-certified sustainability, Heidelberg is positioning itself as a leader in innovation.
The Heidelberg Congress Centre accommodates up to 3,800 participants across three levels and twelve meeting and conference rooms. Each room is equipped with state-of-the-art communication technology for hybrid event formats. Additionally, a fully equipped studio is available for recording, video production, and streaming meetings and conferences. Highlights include a large hall with 1,800 seats and an impressive LED wall measuring 13.5 metres in width and six metres in height, as well as the main foyer, spanning 2,600 square metres and reaching heights of up to 20 metres. The centre also boasts an event restaurant with three cooking islands and a circumferential counter, where up to 55 guests can be seated. The conference centre is operated by Heidelberg Congress, while Bau- und Servicegesellschaft mbH (BSG), a subsidiary of Gesellschaft für Grund- und Hausbesitz mbH (GGH) Heidelberg, constructed the building and continues to own it.
From the outside, the Heidelberg Congress Centre, with its wave-shaped façade, resembles a curtain behind which a stage is set, as described by Florian Walter, the executing architect from the Swiss architectural firm DELEGO. The use of reddish natural sandstone from the region pays homage to Heidelberg's traditional building materials. The large glass surfaces at the entrance areas enable the two main façades to shine brightly even at night.
Energy efficiency and sustainability
The Heidelberg Congress Centre has received the Gold Seal of Quality from the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB). The conference building generates part of its energy itself via the 1,800 square metre photovoltaic system on the roof. The ventilation systems are operated with heat recovery systems that have an efficiency of up to 85 percent. In addition, the building is connected to the district heating network of Stadtwerke Heidelberg. The neighbouring refrigeration centre of the municipal utilities, which was inaugurated in September 2023, ensures pleasant indoor temperatures in summer. Additionally, the microclimate is enhanced by a green roof, and the building materials chosen are both healthy and environmentally friendly. One visible manifestation of this commitment is the sprinkler system, which features the aquatherm red piping system made from polypropylene, a material derived as a by-product of crude oil processing. Life cycle assessments in accordance with ISO 14040 examine the impact of raw material production on the environment. Studies show significantly lower CO2 emissions from polypropylene pipes compared to other raw materials, especially steel. For around 50 years, aquatherm has been processing this raw material, which is characterised by a long service life, very good environmental compatibility, and recyclability. The plastic waste generated from the economic and production process is recycled internally and partially processed into new products.
Sprinkler system invisible in concrete
The aquatherm red sprinkler system was invisibly embedded within the concrete of the floor ceilings. In accordance with the customer's requirements, aquatherm prefabricated all the essential strings and supply lines, significantly reducing the need for on-site welding. This streamlined approach not only saved considerable time but also reduced the manpower required for installation. Furthermore, the leak test was conducted at the aquatherm plant in Attendorn, South Westphalia, ensuring that the pipes were delivered to Heidelberg fully prepared for installation. Specifically, 18 sprinkler connections and 75 metres of pipes including the fittings were installed. According to Maik Grimm, project manager at Lauer GmbH, the executing plant manufacturer, the installation process posed challenges due to the sloping ceiling and limited assembly space between the reinforcement. However, despite these obstacles, the installation was completed smoothly without any issues.
In contrast to metal systems, the aquatherm red piping system is welded into a homogeneous, material-tight, and therefore secure unit through fusion. This process involves briefly heating the pipe and fitting with specialised tools and then effortlessly joining them together.
The installation directly in concrete is made possible by the special material of aquatherm red: the plastic polypropylene, specifically the material fusiolen® PP-R FS developed by aquatherm. It is not only flame-retardant (building material class B1), but also corrosion-resistant. For comparison, when using metal sprinkler systems, corrosion occurs as soon as the metal and the damp concrete meet. Corrosion can only be prevented with the help of special protection, which makes the laying of metal pipe systems in concrete complex and expensive.
Pictures: Christian Buck
