Elbphilharmonie | Hamburg

The Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg is not only an architectural masterpiece, but also a symbol of the modern development of the Hanseatic city. However, its construction history is just as spectacular as the building itself – characterised by unforeseen challenges, delays and cost overruns, but also by innovative solutions and an impressive transformation of Hamburg’s cityscape.

The first foundation stone for the Elbphilharmonie was laid in 2007 and the designs came from Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron. The building was originally intended to serve as a concert hall and hotel complex and form a new cultural centre in Hamburg. A modern glass building was to be erected on the historic Kaispeicher A at Kehrwiederspitze, which would enrich Hamburg’s skyline.

After more than ten years of construction, the Elbphilharmonie was finally opened in January 2017. The concert hall with a capacity of around 2,100 seats and the impressive viewing terrace, which offers a spectacular view over Hamburg and the harbour, made the building a new landmark for the city. Despite the numerous challenges and the associated discussions about costs and the construction process, the Elbphilharmonie is now a globally recognised example of modern architecture and acoustics. It represents a significant cultural and economic stimulus for Hamburg and has had a lasting impact on the cityscape.

The fire protection concept for a highly complex building such as the Elbphilharmonie, which consists of different areas: a historic warehouse building, a modern glass façade and a concert hall with innovative architecture, is an integral part of the planning and ensures that the building is not only aesthetic and functional, but also safe. The mixture of old and new brought with it special challenges that had to be taken into account in the fire protection concept and, thanks to the combination of modern technologies, innovative materials and well thought-out escape routes, now ensure that both visitors and employees are protected in the best possible way in the event of a fire.

Rudolf Hensel GmbH was also able to make a contribution to passive structural fire protection with the HENSOTHERM® 421 KS steel fire protection system for areas below the grandstand of the main auditorium and for parts of the roof level with the HENSOTHERM® 3 KS series.