CSZtimejourney – MDR headquarters in Leipzig

CSZ during the construction of the MDR headquarters in Leipzig in the 90s

In the late 1990s, Leipzig was enriched by a major construction project: the MDR headquarters. On the former slaughterhouse site, an architectural masterpiece was created that set new standards for media centers. This project is a prime example of successful teamwork between visionaries and engineers, with CSZ playing a central role.

Challenges mastered, visions realized: the glass façade as an architectural highlight

The construction of the MDR headquarters is a story of ambitious visions and impressive engineering skills. The architects Gondesen, Piachnow and Staack (GPS) and Struhk & Partner developed a creative concept, while CSZ mastered the technical challenges. The impressive glass façade, which gives the building its open and transparent appearance, is particularly noteworthy. The huge glass façade with surrounding frames was designed to resemble a curved television screen. CSZ developed innovative solutions for stability and energy efficiency and successfully overcame the difficult ground conditions with tailor-made foundations and stabilization techniques. Another special feature was monument protection: some of the existing buildings of the abattoir had cast-iron columns, which had to meet F90 fire protection requirements from then on. To achieve this, their interior was filled with concrete. The shell of these listed buildings was also preserved. The opening ceremony on July 13, 2000, at which Prof. Dr. Udo Reiter welcomed the guests and an impressive firework display crowned the evening, marked the completion of this pioneering project.

A legacy of engineering: the MDR headquarters as a cultural landmark

Today, the MDR headquarters is more than just a modern office building; it is an important cultural center and a proud landmark of Leipzig. As a vibrant center of the media landscape, the building stands for the successful collaboration of architects and engineers who together have created an outstanding masterpiece. CSZ is proud of its contribution to this functional and aesthetically impressive project.