Sustainable construction criteria shapes Süstron development in Germany

URS provided the engineering design for one of Germany’s first office blocks developed under the new sustainable buildings construction criteria.

Famos Immobilien, a real estate company based in Germany, made a commitment to the new planning when developing the Süstron building in Aachen, the westernmost city of Germany located along its borders with Belgium and the Netherlands.

URS provided sustainability design and engineering consultancy services to enable the client to qualify for a pre-certification rating of silver under the criteria as set out by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen (DGNB), Germany’s new association for sustainable construction.

Süstron’s innovative design allows flexible office and conference facilities on a lettable area of 7,500 m². URS’ renewable energy design utilises a roof-top solar power system together with a geothermal system in the basement, avoiding the need for exhaustible energy supplies. The pre-fabricated three-ply ceiling system integrates a pipe system for heating and cooling, as well as pipes for ventilation, power supply and data transfer.

URS was responsible for ensuring compliance with the DGNB criteria for fire protection, building design, structure planning and technical installations.