Stadtwerke Bochum

Stadtwerke Bochum Headquarters – Bochum, Germany
Project overview

The Stadtwerke Bochum headquarters houses the municipal utility company responsible for energy and water services. Designed by Gatermann + Schossig, the building integrates offices and customer service centres. The façade expresses the company’s commitment to sustainability and innovation through its distinctive shading system.

Design challenge

The headquarters faces south and west, making it susceptible to high solar gains and glare. The client required a shading system that would provide effective solar protection while maintaining a transparent façade. The system also needed to contribute to the building’s identity and communicate the utility’s focus on forward‑looking energy solutions. Traditional blinds would not achieve this dual role.

RetroSolar strategy

RETROLux 50 mm louvers with a unique W‑shaped reflective profile were selected
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. The top portion of the slat is angled to reflect sunlight away and act as a light shelf, directing light deeper into the room, while the lower portion allows occupants to see out. Two types of slats (“O” and “U”) are used depending on their orientation to optimise light redirection
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. The louvers are mounted on the exterior but are protected by the overhangs and façade design, preserving their reflective properties.

Building physics and performance

The W‑shaped slats reflect most of the incoming solar radiation away from the building while letting diffuse light in. This results in high reflectivity and a low SHGC, reducing cooling loads. The light shelf effect distributes daylight deeper into the rooms, enhancing visual comfort and reducing the need for artificial lighting. The dual‑type louvers enable tailored performance on different façades, accommodating variations in orientation and sun path.

Architectural outcome and significance

The sculptural louvers give the Stadtwerke Bochum headquarters a distinctive appearance that reflects its mission. The visible shading system becomes a signature element of the façade, communicating innovation and environmental awareness. The combination of performance and expression makes this project a reference for municipal buildings looking to embed sustainable technologies into their architectural identity.