At the time of its construction, the headquarters building of the Federal Environmental Agency in Dessau-Rosslau was ahead of its time; similarly, its extension should also set a precedent in terms of ecological principles.

The new building fits confidently into the overall complex in the public green space which has been created here. Visible from Hans-Heinen-Strasse, it is evidently a building in its own right, but which does not attempt to outdo the impact of the striking and dynamic main building. In keeping with its purpose and use, the compact extension building lies parallel to the street within the required set-back line, and in alignment with the rear entrance to the existing property. There was plenty of room for the necessary additional parking spaces. An extra access point links logically to the main access point at the southern boundary of the property in Unruhstrasse.

The external appearance of the new building was dictated by the need to build a plus-energy building. Compact in size, it inclines in a southerly direction so that the tilted roof surface provides excellent conditions for the use of photovoltaic elements. The framework of PV elements on the roof, complemented by a solar heating system and dimmable glazing, together with the sections of the façade which are transparent or non transparent depending on the direction they face and on how the respective room is used, lend structure to the distinctive appearance of the building. The shell encloses the actual office building, supported above it by a light-weight steel substructure in a grid of suspended girders.
The space created in this way between the exterior façade and the self-contained, modularly built office building with its ecological wood-panel construction, provides the building with a natural climate buffer. The thermally efficient solar control glass with which the atrium is roofed complements the public perception of the building and creates a sense of cohesion for the staff.