State-of-the-art, sustainable and representative: HELLA will build new headquarters at Lippstadt site

Lippstadt, 28 July 2023. HELLA, the automotive supplier operating under the FORVIA umbrella brand, intends to construct an attractive, sustainable and representative new building complex, particularly on the western area of the current Company headquarters on Rixbecker Straße. In the future, all development and administrative functions of the Lippstadt location will work there in one place.

"Our historic company headquarters undoubtedly has tradition. Nevertheless, its infrastructure, buildings and premises no longer reflect what we stand for as an automotive supplier: technological strength and leadership in innovation," says HELLA CEO Michel Favre. "We therefore plan to build new headquarters that shows Lippstadt's strong role in the global FORVIA network, that creates an ideal and attractive working environment for our employees as well as a new urban landmark for the city of Lippstadt."

HELLA has entrusted the planning of the new headquarters to the renowned Düsseldorf architectural firm RKW Architektur +, which, in addition to a large number of prestigious buildings throughout Germany, has also realised the Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule Hamm-Lippstadt, HSHL) in the direct vicinity of HELLA's headquarters in Lippstadt. The starting point for the concept developed by RKW Architektur + was the analysis of Lippstadt's townscape in the early 19th century. The design thus picks up on a historic route that once crossed the city.

"In the architectural concept, the seamless integration of the company headquarters into the townscape of Lippstadt was very important to us," says site manager Matthias Wiehen. "By reviving the historic junction and uncovering this old footpath, we are creating an inviting environment with an urban character – both for HELLA employees as well as for students at HSHL, and last but not least for every resident and visitor of the town.”

Therefore, in the conceptual design, which’s details are now being further worked on, the HELLA site is divided into different areas: on the one hand, an open campus and, on the other, a protected area for research and development, in order to fully guarantee high customer requirements for information security. A particularly representative space for a customer experience centre and conference rooms, for example, is also conceivable. "A striking architectural landmark is being created in the heart of Lippstadt. This is also a strong signal for Lippstadt and its inhabitants. We therefore expressly welcome the company's plans," says Arne Moritz, Mayor of the City of Lippstadt. "We are particularly pleased that the architectural concept also provides the possibility of converting part of the area into urban living or using it for other purposes. For example, student dormitories or spaces for co-working spaces, start-ups or for additional needs of the university are also possible here. In this respect, we as city representatives will continue to closely accompany the realisation of this project."

The site concept will be realised with the highest standards of sustainability. The new HELLA headquarters is planned to be operated in a CO2-neutral manner. In addition, it is planned to unseal large parts of the current area; essential further sustainable aspects such as rainwater retention, green roofs and the creation of a green campus to promote biodiversity are also to be taken into account in the architectural concept.

At the Lippstadt site, HELLA currently employs a total of around 3,100 permanent employees in research & development as well as in administration, and a further 1,100 in production. In total, the construction project has an expected gross floor area of around 70,000 square metres, which corresponds to the living space of around 500 single-family homes. In addition, the architectural concept provides for an expansion of the space to over 110,000 square metres if suitable. Provided the relevant official approvals are obtained, groundbreaking for the first buildings is scheduled for mid-2024.