Germany's First Platinum Lab Building: Sartorius Sets New Standards in Sustainable Construction

The new research building on the Sartorius campus in Göttingen is redefining what sustainability looks like in high-tech environments. Opened in 2023, it is the first lab building in Germany to earn highest certification of the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB), Platinum, and was also awarded the Wood Construction Prize of Lower Saxony in 2024 for its sustainable design.

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"Our goal was to create a building that’s not only functional but also embodies sustainability and innovation," says Michael von Darsen, Head of Facility Management at Sartorius.

Built using a wood-hybrid construction method, the facility meets over 170 of the DGNB’s ecological, economic, and socio-cultural criteria — achieving 85 out of the 70 points required for Platinum status. 

The structure stands on a 60-by-60-meter footprint and uses beech wood for its load-bearing elements. Concrete was only used where no more sustainable option was available. The result? Less material for the same strength, traceable and reusable components, and a significantly smaller carbon footprint.

Designed for Climate Neutrality

"Sartorius aims to be climate-neutral by 2045. That ambition directly shaped this building," von Darsen explains. "The energy supply is entirely fossil-free. The only possible connection to fossil fuels might be a few Bunsen burners in our labs," he adds with a wink.

The building draws its heating and cooling from what State Office for Mining, Energy and Geology calls the most powerful geothermal field in Lower Saxony, which located directly under the Sartorius Campus grounds. This energy resource, which can function as a reverse heat pump, providing heating in winter and cooling in summer, ensures an emission-free and stable indoor climate year-round. Electricity comes from wind energy and solar panels at the Campus.

Where Sustainability Meets Innovation

Inside, the building provides around 260 workplaces. On the ground floor, flexible spaces are used for the development of technologies such as bioreactors and filtration systems for the biopharmaceutical industry. Real-time data from testing is transmitted directly to the offices above — shortening feedback loops and accelerating innovation.

A hanging garden in the atrium brings fresh air and a calming atmosphere, while exposed wood elements contribute to a warmer, more natural environment. Independent assessments also show the building has exceptionally low pollutant levels.

"The architecture is supposed to encourage collaboration and connection," von Darsen notes. Bridges link the new R&D facility with other campus buildings, making it easy for people to move from one building to the next. 

Part of a Broader Commitment

This is now the fourth DGNB-certified building on the Sartorius campus. Earlier projects — including lab instruments manufacturing and office buildings — have received Gold status, as did the Sheddachhalle in the nearby Sartorius Quarter.

The Wood Construction Prize, awarded biennially by the Lower Saxony Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Consumer Protection, honors buildings that rely primarily on wood and renewable materials — recognizing projects that make a real contribution to climate action.