The Sustainability Hub by Drees & Sommer is located in a multi-award-winning green building at Obere Waldplätze 11 in Stuttgart. It brings together colleagues, clients, and companies to develop innovations in sustainability and economic efficiency. Featuring materials based on Cradle to Cradle® (C2C), forward-looking work environments, and efficient building technology, the hub also serves as a living showroom and test lab—extending to the future of cities and districts as Blue Cities.

All key building materials used in the hub have been tested for health safety, absence of harmful substances, and recyclability. This creates a better indoor climate and reduces environmental impact during deconstruction. Special acoustic absorbers have been specifically adapted for office use. In addition, they are equipped with a surface that neutralizes odors and volatile substances in the indoor air. A planted wall contributes to a pleasant indoor climate and brings life into the hub. Office furniture and carpet tiles are fully recyclable, and the latter also bind fine dust.

The highly insulated façade and triple-glazed windows significantly reduce heating demand. Efficient concrete core activation turns the ceilings into large-area heating elements. The use of geothermal energy significantly lowers energy consumption and CO₂ emissions.

Located in Germany’s capital and one of the key hotspots of the international startup and innovation scene, our Startup Hub Berlin serves as a think tank, creative lab, and playground for idea development and collaboration between Drees & Sommer, clients, partners, startups, and scale-ups.

Through the hub, we maintain our network within the national and international startup ecosystem, connect with innovation partners and other corporate hubs, and actively drive innovation forward. We provide space for creative ideation as well as hands-on experience and testing of technologies and innovations. We support and guide pilot projects with startups as equal partners.

We are also a reliable partner for high-growth scale-ups, offering tailored support based on individual needs: you focus on your core business and growth, while we assist you with all aspects related to office and real estate—speaking your language along the way.

Our goals at the Startup Hub Berlin

1. Building and maintaining a strong network within the startup and innovation ecosystem, scouting startups and technology partners, and increasing visibility at the international innovation hotspot Berlin
2. Serving as a location for testing, supporting, and evaluating startup solutions as well as technological and digitalization approaches through pilot projects
3. Operating the Startup Hub Berlin with an Innovation Experience Lab: enabling hands-on experience, testing, and making innovations, technologies, and startup solutions tangible for our employees, partners, and clients; providing space to work on innovation and future-oriented topics
4. Acting as a point of contact for scale-ups and unicorns on all matters related to office and real estate

The Customized Smart Building Hub by Drees & Sommer is located on the RWTH Aachen campus and serves as a live demonstrator for innovations related to smart buildings, as well as a place for direct exchange with academia and industry.

In close collaboration with the Center Smart Commercial Building—of which Drees & Sommer is an enrolled member—the focus lies on software-based solutions for commercial real estate, optimized facility management, and the rapid development of market-ready solutions, always with added value for users.

Digital technologies are deliberately deployed to improve processes, user experience, and sustainable building operations, while also enabling new digital business models. In this way, tailor-made customized smart buildings are developed within the hub.

We know that the office has lost its monopoly—but as a hub for identity and a key touchpoint for a company’s brand, it is more important than ever. At the same time, we understand how quickly new requirements can arise.

With the revitalization of the Drees & Sommer site in Bavaria, we have created a 3,600-square-meter showcase spanning two floors that enables and promotes future-ready ways of working.

Our approach always puts people at the center. That’s why, at the New Work Hub Munich, we foster interdisciplinary exchange with our clients and partners, as well as with academia, education, thought leaders, and speakers. Together, we explore the transformation of the working world from as many perspectives as possible and develop shared visions and pathways for making this transformation successful.

Whether it’s sustainability and wellbeing, new leadership, or employer branding—addressing the pressing challenges of our time requires all disciplines at one table. That’s why exchange and mutual inspiration are more important than ever.