Hamburg-Haus – Expo 2010, Shanghai, China
Built for Expo 2010, the Hamburg-Haus was the first certified Passive House in China and a flagship project for sustainable building practices. The hybrid structure of steel and concrete was wrapped in expansive timber-glass façades built from prefabricated laminated timber elements. These façades showcased Germany’s energy-efficient design standards on an international stage.
RICON EA connectors were used throughout the mullion-transom system to secure the laminated timber components. Their concealed design allowed mullions and transoms to be inserted from the exterior, which was essential due to the steel V-supports located directly behind the glass façades. With tolerance adjustment and optional reinforcement plates, the connectors supported glass loads of up to 900 kg while maintaining flush alignment and clean aesthetics.
Key Highlights:
Connector technology: RICON EA connectors enabled concealed mullion-transom joints and exterior insertion.
Construction method: Prefabricated laminated timber façade shipped from Germany and integrated with a steel and concrete structure.
Design features: Triple glazing (Uw 0.70 W/m²K) and insulated Isobloc profiles ensured Passive House certification.
Performance: Supported glass loads up to 900 kg with reinforcement plates, while resisting high wind loads with Y-steel stiffeners.
Use case: International showcase of energy-efficient timber-glass façades that influenced sustainable construction standards in China.
This project demonstrates how RICON EA connectors provide flexibility, strength, and concealed design in timber-glass façades, even under the demanding conditions of high wind loads, Passive House requirements, and global prefabrication logistics.
Credits: Architecture by Spengler Wiescholek Architekten and Dittert & Reumschüssel. Facade engineering and manufacturing by Menck Fenster GmbH. Structural reinforcements by F.+B. Hufnagel. Built by Shanghai Construction (Group) General Co. for the City of Hamburg. Images courtesy of project partners.
