Transsolar was part of the competition team led by BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group, selected to design the new Hamburg State Opera on the Baakenhöft peninsula in HafenCity. The project will bring the State Opera and Hamburg Ballet together in one contemporary performance home, while opening new cultural and public spaces along the waterfront.
A key Transsolar contribution to the winning design is the development of the climate-responsive “petals.”
Informed by solar studies, the petals act as seasonal overhangs—welcoming the low winter sun and shading the building in summer. In combination with a finely calibrated zig-zag façade—more transparent to the north, more opaque to east and west—this strategy ensures abundant daylight with minimized heat gains and improved energy performance.
The petals are multifunctional: they also serve as controlled natural air inlets, enabling passive cooling during favorable conditions. Select petals are conceived as green roof areas, adding water retention capacity, reducing heat island effects, and enhancing the experience for visitors and neighbors alike.
The integrated approach demonstrates how architecture and climate engineering can work hand in hand - resulting in a building that performs, inspires, and belongs to its city.
Official press release >
Rendering- Yanis Amasri