Research and Development Centre in Dogern - Ludloff+ludloff Architekten

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTRE IN DOGERN (Germany)

Architects: ludloff + ludloff Architekten, Berlin
Location: Hauptstraße 4, D-79804 Dogern, Germany 
Client: Sedus Stoll AG, Waldshut
Structural engineers: Sobek Ingenieure, Stuttgart

The primary design feature of the new research centre of the office furniture manufacturer Sedus Stoll is a textile skin made of glass fibre fabric. Suspended in front of the façade in two layers , the skin gives the building an appearance ranging from solid structure to just about to dissolve. Special adapter profiles made of aluminium were developed for attachment. The translucent membrane furthermore has a positive influence on the total energy balance of the building.

 

The textile skin is a major design feature. The glass fibre fabric is attached to steel tubing frames, which are up to 12 m high, using specially developed adapter profiles made of aluminium. Springs in the holding profiles offset changes in length of the construction due to temperature fluctuations, maintaining the tautness of the membrane. The translucent material provides protection from the sun and rain, is dirt-repellent and allows ideal rear ventilation. It also meets exacting aesthetic requirements: suspended in front of the façade in two layers, sun protection blinds are used to achieve varying degrees of transparency, giving the building – depending on the light conditions – an appearance ranging from solid structure to just about to dissolve.

façade frame

glass fibre fabric

aluminium profile steel adapter

spring for membrane tensioning

horizontal detail ground floor

Rahmen Stahlrohr = Steel tubing frame
Glasfasergewebe, silikonbeschichtet = Glass fibre fabric, silicone-coated
Adapter Aluminium = Aluminium adapter
Klemmprofil = Clamping profile

All materials used were checked in terms of their overall energy balance and recyclability: a sustainable building in every sense has been created. The structure made of concrete and wood, and all the finishing constructions with integration of the building services engineering equipment, were designed for energy-optimised operation, including deconstruction and low-pollutant disposal.

Sources:

Detail 1+2/2013 - Transparent and translucent

openbuildings.com