Energy and Future Storage Facility

The new »Energie- und Zukunftsspeicher«, or »Energy and Future Storage Facility«, for Heidelberg’s municipal utility Stadtwerke Heidelberg (SWHD) manifests the energy transition in the urban context. At the same time, this 55-meter-high building is not just a sculptural landmark, but also a multifunctional urban building block. Like a thermos flask, it stores available or excess energy in the form of heat and then makes it available when it is needed.

The architectural quality of this technical structure is down to the firm LAVA, which was able to outperform its 13 competitors in the international realization competition. The idea is as simple as it is elegant: A staircase spirals around the cylinder and is suspended from an external network of steel cables, which is ornamented by more than 10,000 movable metal plates that are set in motion by even just a light breeze. On the roof of the building, there is a viewing platform of almost 500 square meters open to the public, as well as hospitality and event spaces.

The leisure and educational offerings of the storage facility are supplemented by a public »Energie- und Bewegungspark«, or »Energy and Exercise Park«, at the foot of the structure. The park came about because the municipal utilities and AdViva, a Heidelberg-based company for orthopedic and rehabilitation technology, joined forces. Heidelberg will thus boast additional, diverse and inclusive leisure facilities.