ANH Hausbesitz

Key stats

• Eight-story, 7,800 m²/84,000 ft² building in the center of Berlin with 14 tenant spaces
• Second building in the world to receive a perfect 100/100 rating from SmartScore (an international global standard for smart buildings)
• 85 total Meraki devices connected

Overview

In May 2022, a new commercial building nestled on the banks of the serene Spree River was completed in Berlin, Germany. But this is not a typical corporate edifice. ANH Hausbesitz, the developer and building owner, designed a distinctive structure that complements its surroundings. In a perfect blend of function and form, the building curves in harmony with the river and features cutting-edge technology designed to provide exceptional sustainability, functionality, and convenience.

In 2022, the Terrace was just the second building in the world to receive a perfect 100/100 rating from SmartScore (an international global standard for smart buildings) and a subsequent Platinum designation. It was also Gold-certified by WiredScore because of its superior digital infrastructure.

Data is at the heart of any smart building and the Terrace is a leading example. Powered by approximately 500 Bluetooth® Low Energy sensors and ubiquitous Wi-Fi, this allows for many amenities—including elevators, lighting, window blinds, and climate control—to be automated or controlled remotely with a smart phone building control app. Sensors anonymously track tenants’ locations and activities, while protecting privacy. With this data, the app only shows the controls available for the space being occupied. Resources like desks, meeting rooms, and parking spaces can also be booked using the app.

Architects like me tend to focus on aesthetics, not the technical components. An important objective for me on this project was to make most of the technology invisible as to not diminish the aesthetics of the building. I needed a partner that could help me do that.

Jens Waninger

Head of Smart Building Development, ANH Hausbesitz

Challenge

In addition to its contemporary, award-winning design and focus on sustainability, Jens Waninger, Head of Smart Building Development for ANH Hausbesitz, wanted tenants to enjoy the conveniences of modern technology and ubiquitous connectivity without any visible or obtrusive infrastructure or equipment.

With only a small in-house technology team, ANH Hausbesitz also faced the challenge of providing not only a physically secure building, but also a secure network. With other buildings located across Germany, a centralized dashboard was also needed so the team could remotely monitor, update, and troubleshoot their assortment of building systems and devices in real time without having to travel long distances.

What ANH Hausbesitz needed was a forward-thinking technology partner that could provide the equipment and expertise required—seamlessly and invisibly connecting every component—with a strong focus on security and convenience.

Solution

Internet connectivity for the building is provided using fiber-optic cables, while in-building connections are powered by Cisco Meraki MR Wi-Fi 6 access points and Meraki MS switches. 

Physical security around the exterior of the building and in the parking garage is delivered by Meraki MV smart cameras and Meraki MT sensors, which support the building’s myriad automation features. Network protection is provided by Meraki MX SD-WAN appliances and Cisco Umbrella, ensuring that the Terrace meets stringent cybersecurity requirements. 

The Meraki dashboard application programming interface (API) provides central visibility, control, and management that allows ANH Hausbesitz to access all of their network systems. 

Meraki has a comprehensive and very well-functioning product range for us that we can happily recommend.

Jens Waninger

Head of Smart Building Development, ANH Hausbesitz

Results

In the event of a network issue, the Meraki dashboard allows the ANH Hausbesitz network service team to drill down and get real-time insights into the status of switches, gateways, smart cameras, and other specific devices throughout the building. 

The team can be proactive and agile, getting ahead of network issues before any of the tenants in the building are impacted, all while avoiding unnecessary on-site service calls. This has proven to be an enormous advantage, streamlining day-to-day site management operations, freeing up team members to devote time to other important initiatives, and eliminating a lot of travel time, which has resulted in significant cost savings. 

The project has been such a success that ANH Hausbesitz plans to use Meraki products in future building developments and is exploring the option of adding more Meraki MV smart cameras, connecting them to their computer-aided facility management (CAFM) trouble ticketing system.  

As the demands on technology in real estate continue to increase, a robust, secure network infrastructure becomes vital. “Meraki has a comprehensive and very well-functioning product range for us that we can happily recommend.