Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier Glass Roof
Best Feat of Engineering
Nominating company: Kuraray
Location: HafenCity, Hamburg, GermanyWinning team
- Glass fabricator and laminator: Q4Glass
- Interlayer supplier: Kuraray
- Contract glazier: Cornelius UK Ltd.
- Façade contractor: Roschmann Group
- Architect of glass roof: Werner Sobek
- Master planning: HPP Architekten GmbH
- Structural engineering: Werner Sobek
- Excavation: WTM Engineers GmbH
- Energy and sustainability: GETEC Gruppe & Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield
- Photo credit: Darren Arpe
The Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier glass roof embodies a true feat of engineering. The roof features a complex and unique form, which from above resembles a glass lake with small whirlpools. The roof required over 9,000 parametrically designed nodes and a network of steel and aluminum profiles, each customized for its specific position. The bolted connection system—developed with support from CCTH and Friedberg GmbH—was tailored to allow controlled movement and flexibility, a critical innovation for such a lightweight, yet massive structure. The integration of SentryGlas in larger panels offers structural integrity and resilience, essential for such a large-span, unsupported canopy.
“The visual impact of this project speaks boldly of the complexity behind this glazing design. With every panel uniquely shaped and strengthened by SentryGlas, the engineering speaks for itself. Simply put, wow,” says Glass Magazine Awards judge Alice Dickerson.
Its innovative geometry resembles filigree jewelry, both transparent and protective, say officials. Off-site construction and high-precision assembly were used for this project. Sustainability was a major design goal, demonstrated by the use of solar control glass.
Standardized welding was rejected in favor of reworkable bolted connections, enabling off-site assembly, easier logistics and on-site adjustments. With glass laminated with SentryGlas interlayer, the project meets demanding structural and safety standards, enhancing post-breakage performance and resistance to wind loads, vibrations and other dynamic forces.
