Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg

The Elbphilharmonie, or "Elphi" as it is known to the people of Hamburg, has become the new iconic landmark of the city. In addition, the concert house with a height of 110 metres is also the highest inhabited building in the Hanse city.

Designed and planned by the Herzog & de Meuron firm of architects, the monumental building was erected in the new HafenCity district. The building is a symbiosis of the old quay warehouse A, whose brick walls form the base, and the modern glass superstructure. The facade houses the large concert hall with room for 2,100 concertgoers, as well as the small hall with room for an audience of 550. In addition to the concert halls, there are also 45 high-class apartments, and a five-star hotel with 244 rooms. The facility is supplemented by gastronomy and a multi-storey car park.

Channels on the courtyard and discrete facade drainage

The plaza around the building was designed with paving consisting of thousands of specially fired bricks which harmonise with the brick facade of the old quay warehouse. ACO DRAIN^® PowerDrain heavy duty channels were laid at this location and around the main entrance. Other ACO DRAIN^® Multiline series drainage channels are laid directly adjacent to the facade. They collect the rainwater which runs off the facade of the Elbphilharmonie, and drain it away quickly and safely. The slotted channels form a clear but discrete join in the paving.