The Cradle
Designed using a hybrid timber construction method, The Cradle in Düsseldorf presents a holistic planning approach. This focuses on the entire life cycle of the building – including dismantling and recycling the materials used. FOAMGLAS® cellular glass insulation was chosen for the floor and perimeter areas. The insulation material offers high durability and consistently reliable insulation performance. As a recyclable material, it also aligns closely with the project’s overall circular design concept.
INTERBODEN and HPP Architects developed an innovative sustainability concept for The Cradle office building in Düsseldorf's Media Harbour. The name stands for a conscious approach to the concept of recycling: for example, building elements are connected in a reversible manner so that they can be recycled by type after their useful life. The building is constructed using a hybrid wood‑concrete method and incorporates environmentally friendly, largely recyclable building products throughout.
Owens Corning FOAMGLAS® insulation was chosen for the floor and perimeter insulation. It offers consistent and reliably calculable thermal insulation performance, combined with effective moisture protection – a critical factor for applications close to the ground. In addition, its high compressive strength, rot resistance and dimensional stability make it well suited for use in ground‑contact areas.
Its service life, as declared in the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), is 100 years. If reuse is not possible at the end of its service life, the material can be crushed into granulate, recycled and used for other applications. With these properties, FOAMGLAS® insulation supports the circular economy concept underpinning the entire project.
