The new dvg (now Finanz IT) office building provides spaces for offices under three large, wave-like glass roofs that add up to 380 meters long. It was built when Hanover was host to the world exhibition. With its exceptional design concept and technical finesse in creating it, it is continuing a tradition of large-scale glass buildings that started with Paxton’s Crystal Palace for the world exhibition in 1851.The new administration building is oriented towards the landscape in the south, separating the park from the trading estate in the north. The single parts of the building are arranged like fingers, opening the ensemble and connecting it with a large green space. This creates varied inner courtyards, either lying under one of the filigree glass roofs or under the open sky. They are connected by an internal pedestrian artery, which is the horizontal main axis for the entire building. 
The open office environment is terraced to the south, having direct access to the different courtyards, which are planted with olive, fig and pomegranate trees. The inner structure was organised according to the communicative character of the outer structure. The workplaces were designed to guarantee best conditions for in-house flexibility, facilitating short time workgroups and the development of spontaneous communication patterns. Teamwork, being 'work with people' requires different spaces than working with files.
The employees can choose three different working environments. Firstly, open-plan offices provide a communicative zone including meeting spaces and libraries. Secondly, so called open 'working islands' are perfect for the spontaneous and efficient work on a specific task. Thirdly, quiet singular offices make it possible to concentrate on special issues without being distracted.All workplaces are organized in a system called 'clean desk': They are standardized and networked and have to be left tidy after use. This so called 'business club' makes it possible to adapt the number of workplaces to the number of employees that are in fact present. Like this, the capacity of the dvg could be increased from 1350 to 1850 employees without requiring more space.
The three large glass roofs create best conditions for the passive use of solar energy. The open areas under the glass surface do not have to be heated separately. In fact they cause a “climatic shift”: A climate is created that has all advantages of a mediterranean zone and green vegetation all year round. In the winter the solar energy is used to minimize the costs of heating and produce a pleasant climate for work. In the summer big parts of the façade can be opened up for natural ventilation so that the building is preserved from being overheated.
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dvg Office Building (since 2003 FinanzIT) |