The realization of one of Germany's most groundbreaking—because it is also one of the most sustainable—construction projects continues to progress. Our Moringa pilot project in Hamburg's HafenCity has reached another major milestone and secured the experienced Lupp Group as the contractor for the structural engineering work on Germany's first cradle-to-cradle-inspired residential high-rise.
Now that the excavation and shoring work on the harbor site has been completed, construction work began this April on exposing and cutting the existing bored piles and preparatory measures for the shell construction. "It was important for us to find an experienced general contractor for our flagship project in Hamburg. We are therefore all the more delighted to be able to realize this innovative project with Adolf Lupp GmbH & Co. KG," says Jochen Wismann, Head of Construction Management at Landmarken AG.
As the first residential building to consistently apply the cradle-to-cradle principle, Moringa focuses not only on high ecological standards, but also on social sustainability in particular. Due to its unique combination of climate- and resource-friendly construction with affordable living, the project is considered a trendsetter for the entire industry.
"We want to show that the consistent application of the circular economy principle is the right answer to our environmental problems and climate goals," says Vanja Schneider, managing director of Moringa GmbH. Around 80 percent of the construction and furnishing materials (KGR 300, DIN 276) can be dismantled, sorted by type, and reused. This intensive recyclability is unmatched to date! Moringa—the name comes from the healing Asian tree Moringa Oleifera—consistently strives to establish take-back agreements with manufacturers and suppliers, in which the return and reuse of used materials is regulated in a binding manner.
"The combination of social and ecological impact is what makes our project so unique. As a green oasis with affordable living space, the building addresses typical urban challenges such as demand for adequate housing, poor air quality, and high land consumption. An ensemble like a healing plant."
Vanja Schneider / Managing Director, Moringa GmbH
But the Landmarken family's ambitious project can do much more: in a prominent waterfront location in the Elbbrückenquartier district, Germany's first green high-rise residential building, constructed according to the cradle-to-cradle principle, offers numerous socially significant functions.
With a gross floor area of approximately 24,000 m², the ensemble designed by kadawittfeldarchitektur will offer affordable living as well as communal areas, a modern co-living concept, and co-working spaces operated by our sister company POHA House, which specializes in sustainable co-spaces. The restaurant area on the wharf level and two separate retail spaces also represent a useful addition to the complex's functions. The five-story Villa Luna daycare center, which will provide 80 childcare places and is an important addition to HafenCity, will even include the topic of circular economy in its educational program. All apartments are allergy-friendly and will receive a corresponding certificate from the ECARF European Center of Allergy Research Foundation.
"This is a big step for Hamburg and HafenCity, but also for us as the Landmarken family," says Landmarken CEO Jens Kreiterling. "We want to take responsibility and not only explore the possibilities of sustainable and resource-efficient construction, but also tackle concrete implementations. We will also learn a lot from Moringa for our future project developments."
