16 October 2013
Wicona Develops Bespoke Façade Solution for New Landmark Headquarters Building in the Black Forest
A highly innovative, bespoke and energy-efficient aluminium and glass façade solution has been developed and engineered by Wicona for a new landmark headquarters scheme in the Black Forest in Germany for Testo AG - the world's leading supplier of portable measuring technology.
Located at Titisee in the south of Germany, the scheme is the first of four phases to be completed and was designed by Sacker Architects in collaboration with A Henne Ch Korn.
The brief was to create a distinctive building that would reflect Testo's ambitious growth and high-tech business, but one that would also blend well into its Black Forest surroundings. The scheme also had to provide a high quality working environment and minimise any impact on the environment by achieving a high level of energy efficiency.
The five-storey building has a vibrant design featuring natural stone cladding and a highly complex, bespoke glass and aluminium façade construction.
At the north and south ends of the building, the Wicona glazing system is constructed as L-shaped units which overlap and tilt outwards, creating a strong, sculptural effect. This specially-designed solution comprises both fixed glazing and concealed vents for natural ventilation, with additional acoustic protection where the building is close to a busy road. The units were prefabricated to minimise work on site, ensure the highest levels of precision and accurate tolerances, and to avoid the effect of inclement weather conditions.
The side walls of the building are angled for a dynamic appearance and comprise a unique ribbon window design with integrated ventilation, interspersed with horizontal bands of smooth limestone cladding.
The specially adapted Wicona profiles and areas of triple glazing achieve U values for the glazed units as low as 1.3 W/m2K to deliver excellent thermal efficiency. The façade design also had to incorporate external solar protection - and this project is believed to be the first to feature an angled façade with external slatted blinds.
At ground floor level and for the two-storey reception area, Wicona's WICTEC 50 stick curtain walling to passive house standards was used to create an inclined façade. The angle increases from one mullion to the next which meant every pane of glass was different. This system achieved an outstanding U value of just 0.84 W/m2K to minimise the building's carbon footprint even further.
The Wicona glazing systems were all installed in just six weeks, despite working through the winter months.
Wicona has recently expanded its portfolio of window, door and curtain walling products in the UK, giving architects and contractors the opportunity to specify highly engineered but standardised solutions to realise the most ambitious building designs. Options in the WICTEC curtain walling suite include a classic 'stick' system, roof glazing, structural glazing and a unitised system.
For further information about Wicona's curtain walling, window and door systems for complex and challenging projects, and its bespoke façade solutions, visit www.wicona.co.uk, email info.wiconauk@hydro.com or call 0845 602 8799.
Editors' Notes
1. The project team for the Testo AG headquarters scheme included:
- Architects: Sacker Architects and
A Henne Ch Korn landscape architects
- Fabricators: App and Dilger
- Façade consultants: Mosbacher + Roll
- Façade systems: Wicona
2. Wicona has more than 10 years' on-site experience in the UK and offers a complete turnkey service for the building envelope, from design concepts to fabrication, installation, testing and handover. Wicona and its partners will manage the full façade project, ensuring a seamless approach and complete peace of mind for architects, contractors and developers.
In addition to its technical support, Wicona provides a range of technology-based specification tools to assist with façade design, including downloadable technical information, an 'ideas' app, and Wicona Finder - an architectural database and invaluable source of innovative design solutions for curtain walling, windows and doors.
