Berlin

Sellerstrasse 17

PORR is building a contemporary office building amidst Berlin's historic industrial architectural landmarks

A building complex with approximately 35,200 m² of gross floor area was constructed on a site measuring around 6,500 m². The structure consists of a four-story base building and two superimposed towers with three and seven additional full stories, respectively. In terms of urban planning, the building blends harmoniously into its surroundings and adjoins the gable wall of the Scharnhorst substation, a listed historic building. The result is approximately 22,400 m² of flexible office space that combines contemporary architecture with the charm of industrial history.

Watertight Despite High Groundwater: Precision in Special Civil Engineering

The project placed the highest demands on watertightness, safety, and precision. Due to the high groundwater levels that are ubiquitous in Berlin, an almost completely watertight excavation pit was essential. For the client, the construction of a 4,500 m² DSV waterproofing base and 4,600 m² of back-anchored diaphragm walls created a reliable, permanently stable, and controllable foundation level. A successfully conducted pumping test confirmed the high effectiveness of the waterproofing: only minimal residual water volumes needed to be drained—a clear advantage in terms of construction time, costs, and risk minimization.

Safe Working in an Inner-City Environment

The excavation pit was located between the Scharnhorst substation, a listed building, and a new substation; the constraints were correspondingly sensitive. Continuous vibration monitoring and strict safety measures around an immediately adjacent high-voltage power line ensured that the work proceeded in a controlled and safe manner at all times without affecting neighboring buildings. The inner-city location also placed high demands on logistics. A well-thought-out concept for site setup, supply chains, and interface management was a key factor in the project’s success.

Specialized Civil Engineering and Building Construction Join Forces

With the construction of the diaphragm walls, the DSV waterproofing base, and 3,500 m of temporary strand grouted anchors, the client received a technically mature, safe, and cost-effective excavation solution that paved the way for a modern, sustainable office building with a flexible usage concept. In August 2022, the approximately 10-meter-deep trough excavation was handed over to PORR Building Construction as scheduled. The smooth transition between the two trades exemplifies PORR’s strength.

Architectural Quality with Vision

The ground floor offers ample space for dining options. Two green atriums provide brightness and transparency to the interior. From the rooftop terrace, the view extends all the way to Berlin’s Reichstag. The offices are designed for flexible usage concepts, equipped with state-of-the-art building technology, and thus offer optimal conditions for future-oriented work.

Efficiency through partnering and lean management

From the outset, the project team relied on a partnering model. This ensured close, transparent collaboration among all stakeholders as early as the pre-construction phase. This provided cost certainty and enabled customized tenant fit-outs.

Construction was consistently carried out in accordance with the principles of lean management, utilizing cadence planning and the Last Planner System. This divided the project into clearly defined work units, which facilitated the coordination of all trades and ensured adherence to schedule and budget targets.

Sustainability as a guiding principle: ESG-compliant construction

In addition to architectural quality and efficient execution, the project stands out for its consistent sustainability concept. The PORR subsidiary pde Integrale Planung successfully guided the project to LEED Platinum and WiredScore Gold certification. Additionally, WELL Core certification is planned to ensure a healthy, user-friendly work environment and a future-proof digital infrastructure.

A landmark project

With its completion, the office building on Sellerstraße sets a new urban design benchmark in the northern downtown area. It exemplifies sustainable construction in harmony with history and combines architectural vision, technological innovation, and economic efficiency in an exemplary manner.