Highlight of the Month – Multi-generational house Buchloe

Folded façade for the multi-generational house

The town of Buchloe in Central Swabia, Bavaria, is characterised by particularly good transport links. It is also known as the ‘railway town’ and, thanks to its centrally located station, offers its approximately 14,000 residents quick and easy access to larger cities such as Munich and Augsburg. Very close to the main station, the town of Buchloe has developed an innovative building concept: Under the apt title “multi-generational house”, a project has been created here on a vacant site that combines various service and care provision with residential units for young and old. It houses a branch of the Child Protection Association, a family support centre, the local Diakonie association, a youth centre, a holiday camp and, last but not least, the neighbourhood management team.

Design tailored to requirements

The building design is by the architectural practice 3+ Architekten. The building’s form playfully responds to its purpose and takes up the motif of a simple house: the rectangular floor plan is crowned by a simple gable roof. To further emphasise this archetypal structure, the architects opted for a distinctive design for the building envelope: a meandering façade is complemented by the roof as a fifth façade. The building envelope, which appears to be “cast in one piece”, gives the structure a clear form and a timeless design. The profiled panels on the roof have been recessed only to accommodate a photovoltaic system. On the façade, perforated elements also create a dynamic play of light and direct light into the rooms in a controlled manner, whilst at the same time providing privacy.

Shifting Light in Bronze

For the design of the building envelope, the architects opted for the new Kalzip FlexForm® Ultra façade system with an AluPlusPatina surface finish. The folded aluminium profiles allow for relief-like textures, clean lines and rhythmic façade patterns. Depending on the design, a regularly recurring relief pattern can be created, or a freely chosen texture, which is subject to a feasibility assessment by Kalzip. On the multi-generational house in Buchloe, the variation in the relief’s peaks and troughs appears almost random – thus contrasting with the otherwise clearly structured building. Perforated façade elements create a dynamic play of light and emphasise the building’s modern character. The Bronze B40 colour accentuates the multi-folded façade panels, which is particularly evident in the play of light and shadow throughout the day.

Sustainable façade solution

The façade was manufactured and installed by Engel Spenglerei GmbH of Kaltental-Blonhofen. To meet sustainability requirements, the façade was designed as a ventilated curtain wall with an appropriate insulation layer. Furthermore, the façade solution stands out for its use of aluminium profiles made from up to 95 per cent recycled material, enabling full reintegration into the material cycle. The particularly robust profile panels not only withstand the elements: the façade can even withstand children’s ball games without sustaining any damage.