Düsseldorf’s Media Harbour welcomes a striking addition to its skyline: The Cradle, an 11,400 m² office building designed by HPP Architekten GmbH. Completed in December 2023, the project demonstrates how circular design principles can be integrated into high-quality architecture while creating flexible, future-proof workspaces.

At the heart of the project is the Circularity Passport®, a planning and documentation tool that guided the material selection, testing, and disassembly processes. The building’s façade embodies these principles: its diamond-shaped wooden elements merge structural support, sun protection, and loggias into a single multifunctional shell. Elemented V-supports in larch wood follow a Design for Disassembly strategy, enabling easy reuse of components and extending the building’s lifecycle.

Sustainability was prioritized at every step. A total of 2,150 m³ of certified larch wood was used, significantly reducing the carbon footprint by replacing more energy-intensive materials like concrete. The Circularity Passport® ensured all materials were pollutant-free, healthy, and reusable, achieving a 56% improvement in material health and a 50% reduction in CO2 footprint compared to conventional buildings.

The Cradle also emphasizes flexible and inclusive use. Open co-working spaces on the ground floor provide start-ups and freelancers with modern, naturally lit environments enriched with floor-to-ceiling greenery. Public areas, including a restaurant with a terrace overlooking the marina, reinforce the building’s connection to the urban fabric.

“This project was a collaborative exploration of circular construction,” explains Antonino Vultaggio, Senior Partner at HPP Architects. “Together with Interboden, our clients, and specialist planners, we established a pilot for implementing circular architecture in practice.”

Specialist planners included Knippers Helbig GmbH, EPEA GmbH – Part of Drees & Sommer, Bähr Engineering GmbH, TRANSSOLAR Energietechnik GmbH, nees Ingenieure GmbH, and Drees+Sommer Advanced Building Technologies GmbH, while Derix GmbH & Co. handled construction.

The Cradle demonstrates that circular architecture can be visually compelling, functionally versatile, and environmentally responsible. With its sustainable wooden façade, high material health, and adaptive interior design, the building sets a benchmark for future-oriented office architecture in urban waterfronts.

Project Data – The Cradle

• Location: Düsseldorf, Media Harbour
• Use: Office building with co-working spaces and public areas
• Gross Floor Area: 11,400 m²
• Key Features: Cradle-to-Cradle® circular design, disassemblable wooden façade, flexible workspaces, high material health
• Client: Interboden Group, Ratingen
• Architecture: HPP Architekten GmbH
• Contractor: Derix GmbH & Co.