Titanium-zinc canopy on the building Kirsch Pharma HealthCare
Large rhombs made of dark gray titanium-zinc RHEINZINK-prePATINA schiefergrau in various formats form the appearance of an unusual roof, similar to a canopy or canopy. The exclusive architectural idea has been translated into an expressive structure using 3D modeling, precise surface division plans and high-quality installation.
And now the new production unit of Kirsch Pharma HealthCare in Bissendorf welcomes visitors with an unusual roof, which, like a wing or like a huge canopy, draped with multi-format curved elements of dark gray titanium-zinc, adjoins the upper and outer surface of the building. When approaching, the eye involuntarily clings to new and new lines, harmoniously passing into each other.
And just before the entrance, an unexpected detail opens: the dark gray canopy turns into a bright red backing made of trapezoidal aluminum sheets, which continues like a ceiling inside the foyer. The roof concept from the SAOTA architectural bureau (South Africa) was implemented jointly by the German architectural bureaus Krüger Consult GmbH and SKAI GmbH.
Under the seemingly light and even flying titanium-zinc coating, powerful steel trusses are hidden, The steel substructure of the canopy is about 44 m wide and a little less than 9.5 m high at the highest point, on the left it rests on the floor, on the right against a reinforced concrete wall support and is fixed from above to the edge of the building. The complex surface geometry was structured through 3D modeling and divided into 38 segments.
Another structural element of the surface is the system of internal gutters and light gutters. First, they collect water from various sections of the roof and direct it into a large drainage basin above the left abutment, from where it is drained into the ground through two downpipes located under the cladding. On the other hand, the internal gutters are design elements that create expressive surface lines with integrated LEDs at night.
The designers have developed in detail a 3D model with a division of areas for cladding with large RHEINZINK diamonds and a substructure device. The subtlety of the layout was that, in general, the rhombuses should create a harmonious and complete impression, regardless of the slope and geometry of each surface element. For this, the joint seams should never be cross. A certain irony was that multi-format rhombuses were used to achieve visual evenness of the surface. The widest rhombuses are located on the support wall on the right, measuring 362x1470 mm, on the main surfaces above the point of contact with the floor - an average size of 320x1486 mm, and on small surfaces - the smallest diamond size 286x1486 mm.
Due to the careful segmentation of the surface areas, almost half of the large diamonds used in various sizes were ordered from production as finished parts. From the factory, the rhombuses have the necessary fastening edges and are ready for installation. When laying from bottom to top, the rhombuses are mounted in the leading edge of the previous row and the upper part of the rhombus is fastened with clamps to the substructure.
Where there were no ready-made standard rhombuses, roofing specialists used fittings that have a smooth edge on the sides and are cut to the required dimensions right on the construction site. Some of the rhombuses still needed to be made to the required dimensions right on the construction site. This is certainly more labor intensive, but it has the advantage that very individual adjustments can be made.
Dark gray and bright red: a constant play of colors
In addition to the layout of the subdivision of the surface areas and the harmonious appearance of the installation from the outside, the red underlay of the roof was also a particular problem. These weren't ordinary trapezoidal panels that just needed to be screwed onto the substructure. First, a flat base sheet was installed, on which the custom-made and painted profiles were then installed. This made it possible to precisely repeat the shape of the lining made of multi-format rhombuses on the ceiling inside the foyer.
On the right support wall, visitors are greeted by the company's logo in the colors of dark gray titanium-zinc diamonds and a red aluminum backing. The appearance and aesthetics of both materials are characterized by a high level of project preparation, as well as high-quality assembly. The result justifies the resources invested: Kirsch Pharma HealthCare has acquired an architecturally unique entrance group that combines quality and modernity that every pharmaceutical and biotechnologist always strives for.
The selected material in the technique of large patinated rhombuses ensures that this look will last for a long time. Because the RHEINZINK-prePATINA product line has a natural surface in the patina shade typical of zinc. This is an uncoated and unpainted surface. Thanks to a special etching process developed by RHEINZINK, already at the factory the surface acquires a dark gray patina color, which is very close to the later natural patina formation on the building. The durable and maintenance-free RHEINZINK surface meets the highest criteria for sustainable construction, which was an important consideration in the choice of material.
Architectural concept: Stefan Antoni Saota, Cape Town, South Africa
Architect: Krüger Consult GmbH, Burgwedel mit SKAI GmbH Wedemark, Germany
Working with titanium-zinc RHEINZINK: Dachbau Stassfurt GmbH, Staßfurt, Germany
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