KALZIP – „Museum Lausanne“

/in , , /by

25,000 m² of Culture

In 2022, a futuristic building complex named Plateforme 10 was opened in the Swiss city of Lausanne, merging two museums under one roof. It houses the Elysée Photo Museum and the mudac, a Museum of Design and Contemporary Art. This newly created art district provides visitors of all generations with over 25,000 m² to explore the diversity and various types of art in the fields of visual arts, photography, and design. The structure, designed by Portuguese architect Aires Mateus, combines geometric shapes with carefully selected surface materials to provide a futuristic look. The building has a light corridor that serves as the entrance to both museums, as well as a reception area, a bookshop and a cafeteria

At first glance futuristic, sustainable at second

The building’s exterior facade might appear plain at first sight, but hidden behind the walls is a unique shed roof made of aluminium profile panels from Kalzip. The roof with its striking jagged profiles is only visible from an aerial view or from the surrounding residential buildings. Despite its unconventional appearance, it fulfils a functional purpose, as the south-facing sloping surfaces house photovoltaic modules on the standing seam profiles, which supply the museums with sustainable electricity and ensure an excellent energy balance. To bring daylight into the mudac on the first floor, windows were added to the north side of the aluminium shed roofs. Upon entering the exhibition space, visitors are greeted with an open room atmosphere, highlighting the geometric design language of the interior architecture.

 

Waterproof planning on the model.

The complex roof structure with its horizontal and inclined surfaces required detailed planning. Kalzip’s standard roof system was modified to accommodate the integration of windows. Instead of the typical crimping of the standing seam profiles at the seams, the profiled sheets with a width of 65/500 were welded at the bending point, ensuring a waterproof, tight transition between the horizontal and inclined roof surfaces. In Switzerland, aluminium is less frequently used for roofs due to its different welding properties compared to copper or zinc. However, the processing characteristics of Kalzip’s aluminium profiled sheets were ideal for the project requirements, which demanded a column-free roof structure with pre-stressed steel beams. To address the challenges of mitre cutting and welding the trapezoidal profile panels, a model was first created to fine-tune the details with the owners and architects.

 

A lightweight meeting all requirements.

To minimize welding work on the construction site, a specialized contractor with expertise in the now-rare welding of aluminium seams prefabricated most components in a nearby workshop. These pre-made elements were then delivered to the construction site and installed. This allowed the final roof system, consisting of Kalzip’s standard roof components, including trapezoidal steel profiles, composite clips to fix the profiled sheets and provide insulation space, and the prefabricated aluminium profiled panels, to be fitted efficiently and with ease of installation. The entire roof system, including the trapezoidal sheets, insulation, and aluminium panels, weighs only about 13 kilograms per square meter, and is significantly lighter than a traditional flat roof which would weigh around 70 kilograms per square meter. The aluminium roof panels were coated with AluPlusPatina Eloxal Natur to meet the city’s requirement not to dazzle residents with potential reflections from the aluminium roof.

As a result, the new cultural district in Lausanne not only impresses visitors with its futuristic design but also, like all Kalzip projects, stands out for its functionality, sustainability, and maintenance-free durability.

Considered with care. KALZIP.

Contact

Kalzip GmbH
Yannick de Beauregard
Kalzip Marketing
August-Horch-Str. 20 – 22
56070 Koblenz

Phone: +49 261 9834 0
Fax: +49 261 9834 100

E-Mail: yannick.de-beauregard@kalzip.com

KALZIP – „The Lighthouse“ in Aarhus

/in , , , /by

“The Lighthouse” in Aarhus, Denmark’s tallest residential building with an unusual roof shape.

The artificially created district near the centre of the Danish port city Aarhus offers spacious new living space. The latest construction project, “The Lighthouse,” contributes significantly to this by adding 400 new apartments to the housing market. As the name promises, the building rises majestically like a lighthouse on the southeastern shore of the harbour area, and it is also Denmark’s tallest residential building.

Small roof, extensive planning effort, and an additional floor.

The building captivates with its unique architecture, especially the organic and geometric shapes of the roof, facades, and balconies. Particularly striking is the parallelogram footprint of the building, rounded on two opposite sides. The realization of this design was a challenge that Robert Thiebes of Kalzip mastered with confidence, using specialized software and on-site data collection. Particularly innovative are the diagonal standing seam profiles of the roof terrace, which allow for efficient rainwater drainage while also serving as a stylistic highlight. During the structural calculations, it was discovered that an additional floor was possible, perfectly suited for creating a sophisticated gastronomy and viewpoint for visitors at 142 meters above ground.

Installing accurate to the centimetre

During the processing on the construction site, the team of the executing company AE Stålmontage a/s started at the highest point of the roof and initially moved on one half of the roof towards the roof terrace. The assembly proceeded as usual: The profiled panels were placed on top of each other at the seam and flanged with a flanging machine.

The installation of the complex, three-dimensionally curved Kalzip XT sheets with a corresponding angle of inclination proved to be particularly tricky. Despite the flexible substructure, which offered a little room for manoeuvre during installation, as well as the clearly laid out construction plans, construction was briefly halted, as Robert Thiebes reports: “In this project, there was only a few centimetres of displacement space between the profiled sheets, which decided whether the next sheet would fit in or wedge in. In order to find the best possible solution to this problem, we travelled to the construction site, were able to quickly locate the error and instructed the employees accordingly.”

Roll-formed and twisted

Innovative techniques were necessary to implement the curved transition from the roof to the facade. Each individual standing seam profile of the building was numbered and prefabricated in advance, then specifically bent and twisted according to its designated location. As always, this required precise millimetre work, leaving no room for errors. The installation of the complex, 3D curved KALZIP XT panels with a certain angle of inclination posed the biggest challenge, as there was only a few centimetres of leeway for installation.

 

A wind-resistant challenge

The “Lighthouse” presented special challenges during planning and construction, especially due to limited storage space because of the surrounding buildings and proximity to the water. Consequently, all materials were stored in the neighbouring port docks. Transporting the standing seam profiles from Koblenz to Aarhus was a logistical masterpiece. To protect the different angles of inclination of the profile panels, they had to be stacked on pallets with special spacers. A crane transported these pallets to the roof. Due to the height and resulting wind suction, the unused standing seam profiles had to be secured with tension straps.

The finishing touch

With the completion of the roof, the exterior shell of the impressive “Lighthouse” building was finalized. The 480m² XT profiles from Kalzip, not visible to visitors, incorporate a sophisticated recess for a maintenance crane. “Despite the relatively small area, the ‘Lighthouse’ roof stands out for its unique and demanding shape, making it a complex and time-consuming challenge,” says Robert Thiebes.

 

Considered with care. KALZIP.

Contact

Kalzip GmbH
Yannick de Beauregard
Kalzip Marketing
August-Horch-Str. 20 – 22
56070 Koblenz

Phone: +49 261 9834 0
Fax: +49 261 9834 100

E-Mail: yannick.de-beauregard@kalzip.com

KALZIP – „ROYAL NEIGHBOURHOOD.“

/in , , /by

AWARD-WINNING ARCHITECTURAL STUDIO IN A ROYAL NEIGHBOURHOOD.

Close to Balmoral Castle, in the Scottish Highlands, the now multi-award-winning office building and community café by Moxon Architects fits harmoniously into what is now woodland. Decades of use of this environment as a quarry have left an impressive and unique landscape structure at the site, which inspired the Aberdeenshire architectural team to create its distinctive lines. The aim was to create a harmonious unity with the surroundings through design and materials.

A design shows Kantefen.

A special aspect of the design was the low roof line, which could be implemented with Kalzip aluminium roofing – also in terms of material a perfect combination with the otherwise used wood from the region. Stylish and discreet, the roof design is a key aesthetic element, particularly due to its vertical use in this building to dramatically highlight key wall areas, including the café entrance. The roof line, runs parallel to the edge of the slope above and overall takes on an important role in the visual perception.

 

Form follows Function

But it was not only aesthetics that played a decisive role in the choice of a Kalzip aluminium roofing system, but also the issues of sustainability and, last but not least, the demanding climate of the region. Visually, they wanted to reflect the rural tradition, but in a sophisticated, modern way. Kalzip’s standing seam aluminium roof was the first choice here, as aluminium offers a denser finish than the steel or zinc usually used regionally – and it allows a flush appearance to be created with sharper edges. In terms of colour, the choice fell on a HighPerformanceCoating-System (HPC) in RAL 9011 with a 3% gloss level, as a modern homage to the local slate. The choice of colour was also the result of close collaboration with Kalzip.

 

Harmony with the surroundings

Every aspect was carefully thought through. Aberdeen-based roofing specialist Fowler McKenzie assisted the design team with the technical details to ensure the specification met all the aesthetic details but also the performance requirements of the building. Given Royal Deeside’s potentially harsh winter climate, a Kalzip® snow guard system was fitted, colour co-ordinated of course, to minimise visibility. Rain, on the other hand, is directed from the roof directly into a new marsh and wetland area and is an example of sustainable integration of building and landscape conservation.

Quarry Studios is the winner of the following awards:

  • RIAS Andrew Doolan Award for Best Building in Scotland 2022.
  • Winner of the RIBA National Award 2022
  • Winner of the RIAS Award 2022
  • Winner of the Civic Trust Award 2022
  • Project of the Year ASA Awards 2022
  • Winner of the American Institute of Architects UK Award 2021
  • Winner of the Architects’ Journal Award 2021
  • Winner Scottish Design Award 2021
  • Finalist BCIA Commercial Project of the Year 2021

 

 

Considered with care. KALZIP.

Contact

Kalzip GmbH
Yannick de Beauregard
Kalzip Marketing
August-Horch-Str. 20 – 22
56070 Koblenz

Phone: +49 261 9834 0
Fax: +49 261 9834 100

E-Mail: yannick.de-beauregard@kalzip.com

KALZIP – „University with Added Value.“

/in , , /by

Located in the beautiful French coastal town of Dunkirk, one of the four campuses of the Université du Littoral Côte d’Opale (ULCO) specializes in marine research. Due to the aging roof of the main building, a comprehensive renovation process was carried out. The construction work spanned approximately a year, with university operations continuing without disruption during this time.

Particularly to ensure a uniform appearance in combination with the still intact roof surface and not to compromise stability due to the additional weight, the use of aluminium roofing was a firmly defined part of the public contract. The weather-resistant, easy-to-install, and above all, flexible warm roof construction by Kalzip with its innovative standing seam profiles was again able to fully convince in this tender, as the comprehensive complete system includes everything from the fastening material, insulation layer, to the roofing skin, necessary for a swift and targeted renovation.

Thoughtfully Roofed.

At the beginning of the work, the old roof was removed, and the underlying, still intact steel roof truss was used as a substructure to install the new vapor barrier and the mineral thermal insulation. Then, the original roof was repaired over almost 5000m2 with aluminium profile sheets, naturally considering openings for skylights and the integration of a connection for a solar system.

The aluminium profile panels of width 65/305 were fixed using composite clips and then safely folded. This guarantees a penetration-free roofing skin. These innovative composite clips (E-Clips) are designed to provide enough space for the mineral insulation layer with an appropriate build-up height. A compressible thermal insulation fleece, which can be separately removed again during dismantling, provides sustainable insulation. To facilitate potential maintenance work, walkways were installed after completion, and the extensively tested Kalzip roof path system SafetyPlus ensured optimal work safety at lofty heights.

 

A Wave of Everything: Tradition, Combined with Modern Architecture and Sustainability.

A roof form was deliberately chosen that slopes down to street level on the east side, rises again on the west side, and then breaks like a wave over the main entrance of the university. The resulting homogeneous roof structure reflects daylight, mimics the movements of the water, and from a bird’s eye view, ideally adapits to the given floor plans of the harbor quay and the surrounding streets and buildings.

As with almost all Kalzip projects, the new roof design of the main university building now impresses with the combination of traditional and modern elements and convinces with the use of an aluminium recycling alloy, even in rough coastal climates, with extreme durability and long-term ecological sustainability.

 

Considered with care. KALZIP.

Contact

Kalzip GmbH
Yannick de Beauregard
Kalzip Marketing
August-Horch-Str. 20 – 22
56070 Koblenz

Phone: +49 261 9834 0
Fax: +49 261 9834 100

E-Mail: yannick.de-beauregard@kalzip.com

KALZIP – „Primary school in Wriedel, second representation“

/in , , /by

A new cafeteria for the Swallow Elementary School in Wriedel

In order to meet the requirements for mandatory all-day care, the Swallow Elementary School in Wriedel, near Hamburg, has received a new cafeteria for lunchtime meals. The modern, one-story building is covered with an aluminum gable roof and has an integrated solar system that provides the school with sustainably generated electricity. Interested visitors, teachers, and students can use a monitor to learn about the system’s performance.

The cafeteria plays a central role in the open all-day school operation, not only because students need to be fed, but also because it is intended as a space for community building, says school principal Sabine Liebmann. “The cafeteria is not only used for eating, but also as a meeting room. It replaces the auditorium that we didn’t have,” says Liebmann.

Bright and educational

Skylights were installed on the roof as a natural source of light so that daylight can enter the room at any time. The over 300 square meter roof area is covered with photovoltaic modules, which fill most of the aluminum profile panels to maximize the potential of the overall area.

The aluminum standing seam roof with photovoltaic system was constructed using the tried and tested AluPlusSolar system from Kalzip and consists of individually prefabricated aluminum profile panels. The very flat solar panels are already glued to the profiles in the factory to avoid any impact on the connection due to dust, dirt or moisture and to facilitate installation for skilled tradesmen. The Kalzip 50/444 profile used for the interconnection is known for its weather resistance and durability.

 

Efficient, robust and sustainable despite minimal weight

The skilled tradesmen first installed the system-specific composite clips on the slightly sloping roof area, which was provided with a vapor barrier. This was followed by a mineral thermal insulation layer to efficiently and sustainably insulate the building. Since the module connections are located behind the panels, each panel had to be placed individually on the standing seam of the previous panel.

The aluminum standing seam roof with photovoltaic utilization impresses with its lightweight design and high energy efficiency, as it weighs significantly less than other roofing systems and has therefore already proven to be the system of choice in many previous construction projects. Overall, around 100 students now attend the new cafeteria and enjoy events in their new auditorium.

 

Considered with care. KALZIP.

Contact

Kalzip GmbH
Yannick de Beauregard
Kalzip Marketing
August-Horch-Str. 20 – 22
56070 Koblenz

Phone: +49 261 9834 0
Fax: +49 261 9834 100

E-Mail: yannick.de-beauregard@kalzip.com

KALZIP – “Kwelderland in Delfzijl/Netherlands

/in , /by

The Kwelderland Residential Area in Delfzijl, Netherlands

A house by the sea – with sustainable added value.

It is well known that Kalzip is often involved in spectacular buildings in extraordinary environments. Most of the time, these are projects that are made accessible to the public after the completion of the construction work. In the Dutch port city of Delfzijl, a private construction project has now been realized that has many special features that bear Kalzip’s signature.

The Kwelderland residential area (Dutch: marshland) is located on three adjacent peninsulas surrounded by waterways, a typical landscape feature of the Netherlands. A special feature of the apartment complex is the brick walls, which were supplemented by additional wooden construction on the upper floor and an anthracite-grey metal roof. To meet current sustainability requirements, the south-facing houses were arranged in parallel so that the PV system integrated into the roof can make optimal use of the available hours of sunshine.

Beautiful old walls – modern new roof.

One of the architectural features of the modern residential complex is that the roof was not completely covered with aluminium profile panels, but the top-floor apartments have a pergola that is only covered by the roof rafters. This small but fine and widely visible detail highlights the special construction of the apartments. The skilled craftsmen provided a vapour barrier to protect the load-bearing panels on the rafters from moisture.

The composite clips installed subsequently are designed to provide sufficient space for the installation of mineral wool insulation while minimizing thermal bridges due to their material and narrow bridge. To ensure a uniform look, the foldable aluminium sheets of the clad rafters were coated with Kalzip’s RAL8019 (anthracite grey) colour over the roof loggias, the detail connections and the chimneys. This coating is scratch-resistant and extremely UV-resistant and has an extremely high surface hardness. Furthermore, the dark surface supports the effectiveness of the photovoltaic system, whose similar colour scheme optimally completes the stylish and modern design of the residential complex.

Carefully considered, efficiently executed.

Instead of an already integrated photovoltaic system in the roof, the planners wanted a PV variant that could be mounted onto the standing seam roof after the completion of the roof covering work. The supplied WS mounting system from Kalzip makes this possible and guarantees an easy, fast, and therefore economically efficient installation.

The used standing seam profiles in the size 50/429 could also be installed quickly and easily, as a mobile construction crane could lift the aluminium profiles directly onto the roof for “seamless” processing. The width of the profiles used also fits perfectly with the roof geometry and allows the recess of the pergolas to be connected to the roof on both sides without having to cut the profiles.
This meticulous technical (pre-)planning, combined with Kalzip’s many years of experience, made it possible to complete all three roofs with a total area of approximately 1150m2 in just six weeks, and the first apartments could be quickly occupied.

The residents can expect a future-oriented and sustainable living space that convinces with generous balconies, modern architecture, and excellent connections to schools, train stations, shopping, and of course, the sea on all fronts.

A typical Kalzip project.

 

Mit Bedacht bedacht. KALZIP.

Contact

Kalzip GmbH
Yannick de Beauregard
Kalzip Marketing
August-Horch-Str. 20 – 22
56070 Koblenz

Phone: +49 261 9834 0
Fax: +49 261 9834 100

E-Mail: yannick.de-beauregard@kalzip.com

KALZIP – „Wintringham Primary Academy, Saint Neots“

/in , , , /by

A COMBINATION OF HIGH PERFORMANCE AND DISTINCTIVE ARCHITECTURE – THE AVOCADO SCHOOL BUILDING EXCELS

The township of Wintringham received a new flagship building in the form of Wintringham Primary Academy in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, completed in 2021. Cambridgeshire County Council commissioned the building affectionately known as the ‘Avocado’ due to its unique roof shape. The project is a clear demonstration of the excellence of workmanship that Kalzip provide to clients through the installation of the Kalzip standing seam roof system and the quality of the bespoke curved aluminium soffit and aluminium fabrications.


Philip Marsh, Founding Director at dRMM (de Rijke Marsh Morgan Architects), who was responsible for the school’s design, said: “Wintringham Primary Academy’s distinctive shape was formed by Passivhaus principles. By arranging teaching spaces around a central grove, the aim was to increase daylighting and cross ventilation from multiple aspects. The shape allows a spatial arrangement which supports the idea of a school ‘in the round’.

“The client required a roof system that was robust and low maintenance, and one that would stand the test of time. A Kalzip standing seam profile roof was selected after considering a few options, ultimately the Kalzip system provided the best option in terms of durability. Additionally, the Kalzip roof also offered compatible bolt-on solutions for roof maintenance systems that were easy to integrate. The project required a fall restraint mansafe system and roof access stair which could be simply incorporated as part of the roof system. From the moment we started liaising with Kalzip for their technical input they were most helpful and were able to answer all our technical queries in great detail.

“Kalzip 50/429, stucco embossed aluminium was specified for the project, which was site rolled at the eaves with the longest sheet measuring 72 metres. Additionally, intricate detail work was required on the curved aluminium fabrications, along with the drainage requirements on the complex roof shape. Having received high-level technical information at the early stages of enquiry, we were confident Kalzip’s experience would be beneficial. We also specified 280mm Kalzip insulation plus 40, compressed to 255mm within a cavity created by E180 clips, S5 & S10 spacer pads, galvanized steel top hat supports fastened down to a Glulam Beam timber structure to achieve the thermal requirements.”

There were some logistical challenges for this bespoke project, mostly surrounding the tight budget and construction programme. Just 12 months were allowed for the construction with completion to coincide with the start of the new school year. Kalzip’s systems are predominantly manufactured offsite, which led to a quick and simple installation onsite, despite the complex nature of the roof.

Wintringham Primary Academy is a prototype typology for an all-timber school that delivers an inspirational learning environment, which surrounds itself with greenery inside and out. To enhance wellbeing, dRMM prioritised a timber aesthetic, natural light, ventilation and direct access to the surrounding landscape in response to the school’s affinity with forest school principles.

As part of a team headed by contractor Morgan Sindall, dRMM worked with Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) and the Diamond Learning Partnership Trust (DLPT) to develop the vision. This called for a three-form entry primary school for up to 708 children, including a nursery that could be run independently if required. The 3615m2 school was completed in 2021 after a construction programme of just 14 months despite the restrictions of the pandemic.

There were a number of challenges to overcome, and Kalzip’s vast experience was certainly required at numerous points. As a result, Kalzip was awarded Morgan Sindall’s ‘Perfect Delivery” award for the Wintringham Primary Academy project. Wintringham also achieved the RIBA East Regional Award and the RIBA East Sustainability Award in 2022 and was highly commended in the Structural Timber Awards.


For more information please visit: www.kalzip.com/en/

Considered with care. KALZIP.

Contact

Kalzip GmbH
Yannick de Beauregard
Kalzip Marketing
August Horch St. 20 – 22
56070 Koblenz

Phone: +49 261 9834 0
Fax: +49 261 9834 100

E-mail: yannick.de-beauregard@kalzip.com

KALZIP – „Hangar for airship Theo in Mülheim an der Ruhr“

/in , , /by
A Hangar for Theo

Retirement is the gold standard for “Theo” the airship.

The airship “Theo” is considered the unofficial mascot of the Ruhr area, as this airship circled above the Ruhr metropolises for almost 50 years. In 2024, the moving landmark will retire. To ensure that “Theo” feels comfortable on the ground in the future, its old hangar has been enlarged, renovated, modernized, and raised to the latest ecological standard. The new, climate-neutral multifunctional hangar can now be used as a venue for 1500 people, surpasses all structural and static requirements with minimal maintenance effort, and is incomparably durable.

Indeed, it sounds like a Kalzip project. The fact that Kalzip was able to meet this unusual challenge was made possible by an expert committee of the International Association for Metal Construction, which recommended that only a building envelope made of 95% recycled aluminium standing seam profiles could meet the extensive climate neutrality requirements of the building concept. This called for a climate-neutral building that meets the Gold Standard requirements of the Society for Sustainable Building. But those who know Kalzip know that it is precisely this type of challenge that drives the company.

 

A 6,500 m2 custom-made structure made of 557,000 kilos of wood and 1,500 wood components.

Since the supporting structure of the new hangar consisted exclusively of wood, no cornerstone was laid in 2022, but a “foundation wood-laying.” The term fits well because a total of 557t of wood from domestic forests was used as a sustainable and renewable building material for the supporting structure. The special feature of this spectacular supporting structure is that a total of 592 nodes were joined together in the main load-bearing areas without a single piece of steel in a truss span of 42m. This required not only tremendous physical effort and extensive construction practical experience from a well-rehearsed team of specialists but also countless work steps at 6500 m2.

A total of around 1500 wood components were manufactured and assembled with millimetre precision. A prerequisite for the professional and efficient installation of the profile sheets at lofty heights was not only the demanding three-dimensional planning and produced the tapered profiled and curved aluminium profiles in advance, but also the precise installation of all fastening elements, both in the elongated, simply curved area and at the quarter-sphere, three-dimensionally shaped hall endings. Due to the dome-shaped form of the new hangar, it was not possible to erect scaffolding, so the aluminium sheets had to be mounted at lofty heights using mobile work platforms. This required individual protective clothing, a safety harness, and a safety net for fall protection.

One system, many solutions.

The complex ecological requirements and the special building geometry require a flexible system that can cope with all challenges and adapt to them. The substructure system FlexiCon RR80 from Kalzip exceeds these requirements. In combination with the installed aluminium standing seam profile, it compensates for existing height differences in the load-bearing surface and also guarantees efficient installation because the installation of the aluminium profile sheets and their insulation is carried out in one work step. To ensure a distortion-free, temperature-related expansion movement of the profile sheets, the clip of the standing seam profile was aligned three-dimensionally during installation on the saddle.

The system developed by Kalzip is also used in dome roofs, flue towers, or other three-dimensional buildings. The FlexiCon system allows the aluminium sheets to be mounted horizontally and vertically with uniform rounding. An important visual feature of the airship hangar. Another advantage of the composite clip system used is that no thermal bridges occur, which would impair the energy efficiency of the building.

 

From beginning to end, a green thread

Theo is proud of the eco-friendliness of his new multifunctional hangar. At the beginning of the construction work, 8000m3 of excavation material was crushed on site and reused as the foundation for the project. The targeted use of resource-saving materials and the reuse of building materials saved a total of over 156t of CO2. The two 400m2 large and 72t (without aluminium cover) heavy door wings are powered by four 80PS electric motors. The aluminium cover can easily be dismantled and added to the recycling cycle after the end of its useful life or it can be reused and repurposed in suitable areas of the building.

Through this future-oriented construction method, it is sustainably ensured that Theo and his visitors of all generations will enjoy his new hangar for many years to come.

Considered with care. KALZIP.

 

Contact

Kalzip GmbH
Yannick de Beauregard
Kalzip Marketing
August Horch St. 20 – 22
56070 Koblenz

Phone: +49 261 9834 0
Fax: +49 261 9834 100

E-mail: yannick.de-beauregard@kalzip.com

KALZIP – „Nordkopf Tower in Wolfsburg“

/in , , /by
Kalzip – Interview with Jens Sperber, Managing Director of Sperber Klempner GmbH

Fifty-eight thousand aluminium shingles

With the company Sperber Klempner GmbH & Co. KG, Jens Sperber set up his own business at the beginning of the 1990s. Over the past few years, the family business has become a specialist in handcrafted and industrial metal roofing and façade cladding of all kinds. With its 15 employees, the specialist company realises many projects.

With the Nordkopf Tower in Wolfsburg, the Kalzip PremiumPartner from Unterwellenborn, Thuringia has now been able to realise an exceptional project. Kalzip aluminium shingles with an anodised titanium coating were used for the façade cladding.

 

Mr Sperber, your company is responsible for a wide variety of projects throughout Germany – from single-family homes to large-scale projects. How does the Nordkopf Tower rank among your references?

Sperber: The Nordkopf Tower is an extraordinary project, unique for our company in terms of its scale and nature. To put it in figures: We are talking about two construction phases with about 5,875 m2 of façade surface, which is completely clad with aluminium shingles.

Our team had to measure the façade area with specially purchased laser technology. This complex process alone, the planning and measuring, took about 1000 working hours. In the end, a total of around 58,500 individually manufactured shingles were installed on the project.

 

What challenges did you face in the project and how did you solve them?

Sperber: The architects’ specifications and wishes regarding the arrangement of the shingles challenged us in terms of planning. The shingles were to take up the dimensions of the planned building structure in such a way that all connections and terminations open up with a whole shingle. So first of all we had to design the shingle onto the building envelope, not only paying attention to the dimensions of the façade, but also taking into account the height and width of all the windows.

Together with Hans-Jürgen Löffler, who takes care of the planning of projects for us, we created a 3D plan – without this cooperation we would not have been able to realise the project without any waste. Not a single shingle was cut or adjusted on site, thanks to the excellent pre-planning.

 

You had already mentioned that the shingles were made individually. Was there no machine solution here?

Sperber: After our measurements and the projection onto the façade surface as well as several mock-ups, the shingles had to be manufactured in a special size of 320 x 345 mm. In this project, despite many reservations on the part of those involved, we processed the complete shingles without protective film, from processing to installation; this would not have been possible by machine. Also under the aspect of the clear additional expenditure with the removal of the foil and above all also the special waste on the building site, we had the shingles of the 1st construction phase edged and manufactured by hand in a workshop for the disabled in Fambach.

The shingles for the second construction phase were manufactured in our company. The titanium silver is also a very scratch-resistant hard colour, so the risk of noticeable scratches was very low. The client’s goal was to realise the entire building project in a sustainable manner and ultimately also to receive the gold certificate from the DGNB for the implementation.

 

The building consists of an old building that has been supplemented by a new part with the intention that this circumstance is no longer visible. What had to be taken into account during the execution so that both parts of the building visually merge with each other?

Sperber: It was less of a problem in the planning than in the execution, as all the dimensions of the new building were available. After gutting the old building, we suddenly had to compensate for a difference of 6 centimetres. At the same time, the corners of the building were not to be finished with angle strips, but also with shingles edged in the grid, so there was no room for manoeuvre here. Our only advantage:

The shingles were to overlap each other about halfway in order to achieve the shingled structure in the surface. This way, the team could work with a certain amount of shifting space, so to speak, and compensate for the unplanned 6 cm difference.

 

In your opinion, what influence does the façade have on the overall building?

Sperber: Both the laying direction and the colouring contribute to the surface appearance. Depending on the angle of view, the metallic surface has a different appearance. Sometimes it is the square outlines of the cladding elements, sometimes a continuous flat stair pattern in the field of vision. Due to the titanium-coloured coating and the gloss level of the aluminium shingles, the building reflects the surrounding light situation. In addition, the alignments are designed in such a way that the building blends into its urban surroundings.

 

Which memory stands out in your mind?

Sperber: A special highlight for our company: the architects of the Nordkopf Tower invited us to the 2018 Venice Biennale. We clad the room, where the model was also exhibited, with specially made shingles. In addition, the building project was awarded the title “Building of the Year 2018” by German Architects.

 

Jens Sperber, thank you very much for the interview!

 

Mit Bedacht bedacht. KALZIP.

 

Kontakt

Kalzip GmbH
Yannick de Beauregard
Kalzip Marketing
August-Horch-Str. 20 – 22
56070 Koblenz

Phone: +49 261 9834 0
Fax: +49 261 9834 100

E-Mail: yannick.de-beauregard@kalzip.com

KALZIP – “Nuuk school”

/in , /by

A modern landmark in the Arctic.

Greenland’s capital Nuuk is special in every way.
With only 17,000 inhabitants, it is a rather small capital city, but nevertheless it is rapidly developing towards a major international city. The city is located on the southwest coast of the country, in front of the spectacular panorama of Sermitsiaq, a 1250m high mountain with three peaks jutting out. These three peaks played an important role in the planning of the new school and education center, as they were the basis of the architectural design of this extraordinary project.

As with all Kalzip construction projects, the focus is not only on long-term sustainability and economic efficiency, but also on combining modern design with existing urban and building structures and integrating them into the surrounding landscape.

 

Topographic architecture at -25°C

Greenland’s climate conditions combine just about every challenge imaginable in the design and construction of an educational complex of this size. It’s a good thing that with the Copenhagen-based architectural firm KHR, a partner was found who is very familiar with the special design rules in these Arctic climes. Not only sudden, high amounts of snow, but also temperatures far below freezing and extreme wind speeds had to be included in the planning.

An important component of Arctic architecture is the roof. The unusual, sculptural geometry of the roof shape causes the building to form a symbiosis with the surroundings on the one hand, and on the other hand, the snow does not remain on the sloping skylights. This allows the little daylight to be used maximally efficiently, without glare, regardless of the position of the sun.

The aluminum profiled sheets used by Kalzip not only exceed the requirements in terms of stability, weather resistance and insulating properties, but the easy-to-install lightweight construction also bridges large spans and is therefore ideally suited for use in these climatic conditions. Standing seam elements made of aluminum were produced on site, which allow for a penetration-free roof cladding, thus eliminating weak points caused by fasteners and guaranteeing an optimal insulation value at any time of the year. The industrially prefabricated aluminum roof system was able to convince with short construction times, so that the short Arctic summer could be used efficiently and the first roofs of the building ensemble were quickly installed.

 

Education, culture, sports and community – One concept under several roofs.

In total, this project includes six one- to four-story buildings staggered on the elongated building site. There are additional entrances and exits on all sides of the buildings in case extreme wind speeds prevent the doors from opening. The square and rectangular components allowed to create many additional useful and open spaces around the ensemble, which can be used for sun, play, shelter and stay by all generations.

The passageways between the buildings connect the separate school and daycare buildings to each other and to the cafeteria. Especially in the cold months of great importance, because the spacious catering and canteen area can be expanded or reduced modularly, so that it can also be used by clubs and for public events outside the school operation. The architecture combined with the materials used and the know-how of Kalzip make the Atuarfik Nasasuaq – School a modern, timeless and sustainable landmark of the city, providing not only space for education, but also space for people and bringing the connectedness and well-being of the population to the forefront.

 

Considered with care. KALZIP.

 

Contact

Kalzip GmbH
Yannick de Beauregard
Kalzip Marketing
August Horch St. 20 – 22
56070 Koblenz

Phone: +49 261 9834 0
Fax: +49 261 9834 100

E-mail: yannick.de-beauregard@kalzip.com