Sustainability is not a single solution but a set of long-term choices that shape the built environment. At Gottlieb Paludan Architects, we approach sustainability management as a strategic discipline that enables our clients to make informed decisions and realise the full potential of their projects. We help clarify ambitions, define measurable goals, and translate sustainability strategies into reality – regardless of the project’s type, scale or complexity.
ExploreAn energy landmark for a more sustainable Hamburg
Energy & Industry
Resource and Energy Centre ZRE
Hamburg, Germany
The Centre for Resources and Energy (ZRE) in Hamburg, currently under construction, will be one of the first waste management facilities in Germany to both sort residual waste and convert waste into energy.
The plant marks a shift from traditional waste incineration to a more integrated utilisation of the energy in our waste. This holistic approach, combined with a striking building design featuring distinctive green lanterns, makes ZRE a landmark for a more sustainable Hamburg and signals new perspectives for technical facilities.
Client
Stadtreinigung Hamburg
Status
Project
Year
2026
Collaborators
Poetzsch Bauingenieure, Gartensolo, Karsten Groot Architektur, Light Bureau, CityArc
Areas of Expertise
Architectural concept
The architectural concept consists of an interplay between the façade design and the lanterns. The complete cladding of the façades with a uniform material, divided by horizontal bands, gives structure and order to the different building volumes. The lanterns serve as eye-catchers and convey the core message: ZRE is an important building block on the road to a more sustainable Hamburg. From a distance, the lanterns look like illuminated ‘display windows’ shining in different directions. Up close, you can experience the interplay of light and shadow and the various plants framed by the lanterns. At night, this experience is enhanced by a special lighting concept.
1. Cladding the entire facade with a uniform material gives order and homogeneity to the different building structures.
2. Horizontal bands in the facade convey the interplay of the various building volumes and provide a better understanding of the large scale of the complex.
3. Access to the interior areas is emphasised by a uniform design.
4. Green lanterns, emphasised by the homogeneity of the facade, act as an eye-catcher and message for the green transition.
Technical data
After commissioning, ZRE is expected to process approximately 323,000 tonnes of waste, including approximately 145,000 tonnes of residual waste per year. The waste incineration will generate up to 75 MW of district heating in winter and up to 23 MW of electricity in summer. In addition, 5 MW of heat is recovered from the hot exhaust gas streams all year round. ZRE thus supplies over 40,000 households with electricity and around 39,000 households with heat every year.
ZRE is featured in Nachbarschaft Gestalten, a book about projects that will help define Hamburg in the coming years.
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Energy facilities and industrial buildings are key to the green transition. We design technical infrastructure that combines function, safety, and aesthetics – adding value for both people and their surroundings.
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Thomas Bonde-Hansen
Creative DirectorArchitect MAA
tbh@gottliebpaludan.com+45 4171 8297