Air pollution resulting from high energy consumption is a major factor threatening our environment. Heating buildings accounts for about 40 per cent of Germany's total energy consumption.Current heat-insulation regulations for buildings aimed at reducing energy consumption have become considerably more stringent. However, greater heat insulation and energy saving necessarily restrict the exchange of air between outside and inside the building. This means that air quality in the building deteriorates and CO(2) and other pollutant contents increase.

For this reason, when planning the district headquarters for the Berufsgenossenschaft Gesundheitsdienst und Wohlfahrtspflege (Professional Association for Health and Welfare) in Dresden the aim was to produce an economical, environment-friendly building with a high proportion of solar heating and workplaces designed ergonomically and with an eye to health requirements.

The main architectural features of the building are a glass wall running the full length of the south side, large glazed areas on the east and west sides and solid walls enclosing the building on the east, west and north sides. The curved roof opens to the south, thus establishing the building's relation to the sun. The building is conceived in such a way that the solar energy is used first and foremost passively via the building's outer sheath. Special glass converts light into warmth even when light radiation is diffuse. In this way solar energy meets 50 per cent of the building's total energy needs.

The atmosphere inside the building is determined mainly by the subtropical plants used to improve and condition the air. This creates interesting, pleasant workplaces that make a different impression as the seasons change. The offices are divided up by shelf units, which makes it possible to adapt flexibly to changing needs.