Palazzi Amministrativi

Gruppo Saint-Gobain è un leader internazionale nel settore dell'edilizia innovativa, che ha voluto edificare la sua nuova direzione generale per l'Europa centrale sottolineando il suo "ruolo di primo piano a livello mondiale nella progettazione di spazi abitativi".
L'edificio non solo presenta un nuovo concetto di spazio per il lavoro personale e di squadra, ma è inoltre conforme anche ai più elevati standard di isolamento acustico e termico. Il sistema di protezione antincendio installato non solo permette la sicurezza, ma risulta quasi invisibile, di design e molto funzionale.

One of the leading demands for the building concept of the architects at kadawittfeldarchitektur was transparency, literally the ability to see through things. A requirement that the fire protection concept – which is necessarily complex in a building of this size – also had to comply with. Specifically because the interior architecture is also characterized by transparency and openness, the building occupant was looking for a supplier for the fire resistant and smokeproof doors – of which there are 20, after all – who could assure maximum security standards for individually manufactured products.

They finally opted for Novoferm for the visible work areas, with made-to-measure tubular frame door solutions from the NovoFire® range, while NovoPorta Premio fire resistant doors – some with glass cutout – were installed in the functional areas in the basement. The client placed great importance on the doors blending into the architectural concept – the building was designed to be open, to encourage communication and encounters, and not to be visibly partitioned by fire resistant doors.

One way of creating an impression of openness is to use breadth, which is why Novoferm had to manufacture “plus sizes”: The single leaf doors are 1,50 x 2,60 m, and some of them are enhanced with glazed side panels. The colour schemes and surface finishes of the tubular frame designs are a perfect match for the appeal of the other construction elements. But one detail in particular really emphasizes the quality: the colour coating of all of the aluminium tubular frame doors matches the colour of the façade. This raises the degree of recognition and emphasizes the uniform appearance.

Premium providers focus on quality. When building the biggest Audi dealership in North Germany, the client relied solely on secure fire resistant and smokeproof doors made by Novoferm. The new building in Hamburg-Langenhorn constitutes a milestone in the history of Auto Wichert and, at the same time, a beacon announcing Audi’s brand presence in the north.

Modern industrial and commercial buildings have to comply with commercial fire protection regulations. A fire can produce huge damages. So organizing fire protection correctly is a key element of any security concept for a company. This includes, specifically, the use of fire resistant doors that securely section off individual parts of a building in an emergency, or seal off a building. High quality sheet steel doors ensure compliance with these requirements in the new Audi Terminal. Fire resistant and smokeproof doors made by Novoferm and individually configured to the specific requirements are fitted in all of the fire sections, e.g. between the storage areas, workshop areas, showrooms, administration or to seal off the staircases. The client was won over by their superb quality, exceptional functionality and attractive design.

Protective function and design
Novoferm specializes in steel doors. Fire and smoke protection specifications are core competences of the company. The widest range of variants right up to high quality customized models are possible.

Sturdy and solid, these steel doors are ideal for more than just the rough and tumble of daily workshop life. On the contrary, as shown here at Audi, their homely thick rebate and attractive surface finishes make them just as suitable for office and administration areas. Various types of glazing or customized models with specific colour coatings or laminates enable designs to be tailored to requirements.

Novoferm single and double leaf T30 and T90 fire resistant doors with statutory self-closing mechanism are installed in the new Audi Terminal. Customized solutions with electromechanical hold open mechanisms were installed in areas with particularly high traffic volumes. These doors are linked to the smoke detection system and close automatically in the event of an emergency. During the day, however, they remain conveniently open to keep the workflow fast and smooth. In other areas, such as the staircases, fire resistant doors with additional smokeproofing were installed to securely seal off the access areas in the event of fire.

In short: the right solution for each requirement. Ultimately, the huge choice of possible models, sizes and features together with Novoferm system solutions that were tailored to the property in question enabled the specific fire protection concept to be put in place exactly as required and efficiently in the new Audi Terminal. Functionally reliable, attractively designed, exceptional quality – to protect both lives and property.
 

Solutions
Architecture as a form of brand communication. A totally new, stylish Audi Terminal has opened on Langenhorner Chaussee in Hamburg. Its design – incorporating high glass fronts and asymmetric façades – is part of a globally recognizable architectural language. A strong symbol of Audi’s progressive brand statement.
The building complex with 38,000 sqm of usable space spread over four floors is flooded with light and utterly eye catching. Showrooms can accommodate as many as 120 new and 250 used Audis. Its integrated virtual showroom makes this Audi Terminal a pioneer and still quite unique throughout Germany.

The new Porsche Centre is one of the most modern around the globe with its representative architecture and pioneering eco-efficiency. The demands placed on the various types of interior functional doors were correspondingly strict. The requirements of the fire protection concept were strictly adhered to, which included the use of sturdy sheet steel doors. The client opted for Novoferm solutions due to their exceptional quality, broad functionality and attractive design.

Strict product quality and functional requirements were essential when it came to installing single and double leaf T30 and T90 steel fire resistant doors from Novoferm’s attractive N series, which feature exceptional workmanship and an attractive thick rebate design. A large number of optional approved special features enable individualized solutions for specific properties.

Fire resistant doors with automatically opening electrically powered revolving door operators or special overhead door closers with integrated hold open systems, for example, or soundproof doors. Fire resistant doors with additional smokeproofing were installed in and around the HVAC centre, server room and in the staircase.
This wide range of models, sizes and features together with Novoferm system solutions that were tailored to the property in question enabled the fire protection concept to be put in place easily and efficiently. It was joined by a number of multipurpose doors for various applications – all solid and sturdily designed to withstand the rough and tumble of daily life.

Visual tuning
The client wanted these doors to seamlessly blend into the elegant overall appearance of the building while still complying with the approval regulations. To achieve this, the functional doors – which have a standard homely thick rebate – were further enhanced with anthracite top coating, while some were fitted with glazing and other customized solutions.
All of the doors are equipped with high quality stainless steel hardware. Added to which, all closers are designed as slide channel door closers, with integrated door coordinators on the double door units. The overall appearance is rounded off by special stainless steel kick guards at the base of the doors.

New Porsche Centre raises the benchmark
The fascination of Porsche. This fascination is particularly noticeable in the newly built Porsche Centre in Mannheim. A silver shimmering outer skin houses an aesthetically striking and ultra-modern car dealership that reflects the globally uniform corporate identity. The two-storey showroom covering a floor area of 6,000 sqm is particularly attractive. Its sophisticated architecture is the perfect backdrop for the sports cars.

The ensemble forms the entrance portal to Frankfurt’s noblest shopping street. The interior design was correspondingly sophisticated. The fire resistant doors, which generally tend to feature a design that is more functional than anything else, proved to be a real challenge. The architects opted for aluminium tubular frame doors from Novoferm’s NovoFire® system, not just due to their functional properties, but also because of their design language featuring a clear structure and elegant surface finishes.

The main staircase required particularly good protection against the impacts of fire. While ventilated corridors and staircases ensure a pleasant room climate, they also present a special challenge when it comes to door technology: The changes in air pressure in the individual sections produce regular fluctuations in the forces needed to activate the doors.

If, in the event of a fire, both doors within a section close – creating an airlock – overpressure accumulates in the interior, which prevents the doors closing fully and automatically. The fire protection function is at risk as a result. A fundamental problem that was resolved in Frankfurt through the exceptional functional performance of the fire resistance doors that were installed in the building. The overhead door closers integrated into this system can be adjusted with exact accuracy, and are coupled with precision catches and perfectly fitting seals. This adjustment ability made it possible to customize the closing times in a lengthy but totally individual process. Now, one door closes shortly after the other. The overpressure can escape. Which can save lives in an emergency. Ultimately, the solution ensures that the doors close safely without banging, but can also be opened easily without force.

As such, the choice of high quality products and precision installation enabled a solution to be installed in this sophisticated property that convinced both the architects and the owners of ONE Goetheplaza.

The NovoFire® fire resistant doors are not just functional; they also blend perfectly into the sophisticated architectural surroundings.

ADAC – Europe’s biggest automobile club – celebrated the completion of its new headquarters in May 2012 after seven years of construction. The striking property, which was designed by architects Sauerbruch Hutton, unites all 2,400 employees under one roof for the first time. It constitutes a star-shaped, five-storey base from which an equally striking 18-storey office tower extends 90 m into the sky – featuring a glass façade of more than 36,000 sqm in total, 129,000 sqm of total floor space, and a highly innovative energy concept.

ADAC provides assistance, protection and advice to its more than 18 million members, with a team of more than 2,400 people looking after them every day. The new building made sure the interfaces all worked smoothly. It also had to ensure that both the workforce and the company were protected against injuries and damages.
 

One key element of this duty of care nowadays is preventive fire protection. In the event of a fire, security can only be guaranteed by installing mature smokeproof seals that are type approved and designed to suit the structural requirements.

Novoferm not only has many years of experience and the requisite portfolio of products to satisfy these requirements; it also has the necessary expertise to design customized solutions – all of these attributes clinched the deal for this property.

“Munich’s new landmark”* is located in the industrial zone to the west of Munich. The 93 metre ADAC office tower is visible from afar. Apart from its architectural significance, it also features modern and innovative building technology. In addition to the fire seals made by Novoferm, this technology includes an energy concept that incorporates geothermal and photovoltaic installations alongside fresh air, sunscreen and cooling systems.

*Quote in the “Münchner Merkur” newspaper

Building specification
Düsseldorf has a new landmark in the centre of town: the spectacular GAP 15 office tower that has been built on the site of the former post office on Graf-Adolf-Platz. The complex is dominated by the 90 mm, 24-storey tower next to a five-storey low-rise building. The building was designed by internationally renowned architects JSK from Düsseldorf. The two building sections are linked by a glass-roofed bridge. The full-glass façade gives the elliptical tower its modern character yet delicate appearance. The adjacent low building, by contrast, is reminiscent of the old post office building, and incorporates the latter’s north-facing façade, which is listed. The overall effect is an appealing contrast of old and new.
 

Design
The 24-storey tower has a total height of 89.50 m (parapet) respectively 91.30 m (core). The heights of the floors range from 5.15 m on the ground floor, to 3.84 m on the 1st through 22nd floors, and 4.12 m on the 23rd floor.

The heights of the floors in the old building that was redeveloped had to match the existing north-facing façade, which is listed.

As a result, the height is 3.0 m on the office floors, while openings on the 1st and 2nd floors allowed construction of an entrance hall on the eastern side of the building with an impressive height of about 12 m.

The T90 sliding fire doors made by Novoferm Riexinger (this is the full panel version installed in the GAP 15 tower) can be supplied with fire resistant glazing in both the door panels and – if needed – the pass doors. Numerous features enable enhancement of the single and double sliding door units to suit the specific property.

Sliding fire doors: T90 sliding fire doors were installed on five relevant access and passage routes, predominantly in the underground garage. The hold open system with release mechanism keeps them open in normal operating circumstances but they close automatically in the event of a fire.

With their special sills and additional centre rebate seal (on double door units), fire resistant doors made by Novoferm Riexinger are classified smokeproof under DIN 18095.

The fascinating combination of spectacular glass tower and partially listed old building is what gives the new GAP 15 office building its charm. Both parts of the building are linked by a bridge and a large glass roof.

Offset elliptical segments
Large surfaces allow the light in from two sides thanks to the offset building segments, creating optimized utilization options for the GAP 15.

Important additional features combined with Novoferm Riexinger fire resistant doors:

• Smoke protection (generally possible on all types)
• Soundproofing (only possible on full panel models)
• Burglar resistance (single leaf doors without glazing)
• Top panels / fanlights on T30 doors

All fire resistant doors made by Novoferm Riexinger have been officially tested, building code approved and quality controlled in line with DIN regulations.

Service – a key argument:
Novoferm Riexinger is authorized to test all seals, including their operating and control mechanisms. Our repair, maintenance and spare parts service team also ensures the fastest possible repair of your doors if they are damaged or malfunctioning.

Novoferm is one of the largest European system suppliers of doors, garage doors, frames, and operators for private, commercial, and industrial use. We manufacture in Europe and Asia and market our products in many countries around the globe.

Our corporate philosophy is based on a simple principle: class instead of mass. We endeavour to provide our customers with products that maximize quality, safety, user friendliness and aesthetics, while minimizing cost.

Our products comply with the various country-specific requirements and satisfy national standards and testing regulations. We are, of course, ISO 9001 certified, and our manufacturing processes reflect best engineering practice – including environmental aspects. As a contract partner of Interseroh AG we actively recycle packaging material. As part of the Sanwa Shutter Corporation we enjoy sufficient entrepreneurial freedom to fully concentrate on our competencies and on international market developments.

Building specification
“Outstanding” is probably the most apt description of the new Mediatower in the Medienhafen, Düsseldorf’s booming docklands. The futuristic design of the office tower, which incorporates the very latest construction engineering practices, accommodates a catering facility on the ground floor and ties the neighbouring Killepitsch factory into the overall complex. The façades have been matched in appearance.

Design
The architecture of the 67 m tower is dominated by the double-glazed round façade. It is designed to save energy and reduce noise immissions. Parapets and non-glazed surfaces are clad with stainless steel panels. A water piping system in the concrete provides basic cooling. Building grid and technology permit individually configurable office layouts. The oxygen in the rooms is replaced as many as six times an hour. The tower has four basement levels providing 800 m² of archiving space that is both dry and fully air conditioned.

The exceptional quality demanded by both the clients and the architects obviously extended to the choice of building materials, as well. Novoferm Riexinger was awarded the contract on the grounds of both its product benefits and product designs, and because it had the necessary manufacturing capacity, and – not least – the price was right.

Another key reason was Novoferm Riexinger’s many years of experience in delivering comparable construction projects.

One particular quality attribute of all fire resistant doors made by Novoferm Riexinger is the attractive, homely thick rebate, which gives them a much better appearance than many other makes.

Standard fire resistant door models:
Novoferm Riexinger offers a broad portfolio of approved seals with both T30 and T90 classification. Lean series production processes enable cost advantages for the benefit of customers. Even with standard doors, many of the requirements, e.g. for glazing and features, are still possible within the constraints of the approval.

Customized models are possible at any time, depending on the structural requirements. While fire- and smokeproof doors must adhere to the approval, virtually anything goes with multipurpose steel doors. That can relate to size, but also to special glazing, hardware or technical features.

For example, combinations with smoke protection, soundproofing and burglar resistance are possible, as are security features that are tailored to the use of the building.

Building code approved wall flaps featuring the same design as the fire resistant doors are available in sizes up to 1250 x 1500 mm and with T30 and T90 fire resistance classification.

Novoferm is one of the largest European system suppliers of doors, garage doors, frames, and operators for private, commercial, and industrial use. We manufacture in Europe and Asia and market our products in many countries around the globe.

Our corporate philosophy is based on a simple principle: class instead of mass. We endeavour to provide our customers with products that maximize quality, safety, user friendliness and aesthetics, while minimizing cost.

Our products comply with the various country-specific requirements and satisfy national standards and testing regulations. We are, of course, ISO 9001 certified, and our manufacturing processes reflect best engineering practice – including environmental aspects. As a contract partner of Interseroh AG we actively recycle packaging material. As part of the Sanwa Shutter Corporation we enjoy sufficient entrepreneurial freedom to fully concentrate on our competencies and on international market developments.

Building specification
Sunfilm AG, owner of the modern building complex, uses a completely new technology to generate solar power. Special tandem junction technology is used to manufacture high performance, large scale, thin film solar modules in the newly built factory.

The specification for the building concept was to design a dynamic architecture that reflected the company’s philosophy. On the technical side, maximum security in all building sections and at all production levels was the paramount requirement.

Design
The design of the new factory was entrusted to IB Vogt GmbH Berlin in cooperation with IPRO Planungs- und Ingenieur-AG in Dresden. The planning and execution brief covered production buildings including office space, with a total floor area of 22,000 m². Since 2009 the site has been producing the very latest photovoltaic modules with an annual total capacity of 60 MW. The systems require about 180 members of staff for 24 hour operation.

The resulting building complex is ultra-modern with a striking design, especially of the façades. The production hall is single storey with cellar space beneath some of it, while the administration including social areas is incorporated into the overall concept in a two-storey building. The total floor space of the factory exceeds 22,000 m²; more than 208,000 m³ were enclosed.

Novoferm Riexinger was awarded the contract for the fire resistant and multipurpose steel doors not least because of their exceptional quality standards and customized product range. The fact that they were able to use mostly standard models to satisfy the strict requirements of the planners and property owner shows just how clever the designs of Novoferm Riexinger are. A selection of fire resistant, multipurpose and transformer room doors were installed throughout the property to match the site and specific requirements.

Transformer doors
Transformer doors of all sorts of sizes and with the widest range of different features were needed to cope with the high level energy turnover. By combining multipurpose steel doors with precision-fitted ventilation louvres in the door panels and fitting large ventilation louvres above and beside the doors, the manufacturing and subsequent installation processes were utterly simple. The modular products offered by Novoferm Riexinger also include galvanized insect screens, which are mounted behind the ventilation louvres.

Equally important:
Design and functional performance. Key reasons for awarding the contract to Novoferm Riexinger – apart from the company’s project expertise – included the product design and the addition of customized features to ensure the seals were exactly compliant with the structural requirements. These included modern fire protection and building security systems that allow the complex to be divided into different sections, with corresponding access authorization.

The new city hall in Giessen, which opened in 2009 on Berliner Platz, consists of two buildings: the actual “Verwaltungshaus” that houses the administration and a “Stadthaus”, which is home to the citizens advice bureau as well as an art gallery, concert hall and three-storey library, and which has a glass lobby opening onto the square outside. Numerous galleries and atriums that are flooded with daylight coupled with the transparency of the large glass surfaces in the interior were designed to symbolize an open and citizen friendly administration.

Right next to the congress hall built in the post-war period and to the theatre that dates back to the late 19th century “stands the new Rathaus confidently occupying the centre of Giessen, subdued yet consistent, very direct in its architectural language, aiming to be a citizens centre for many years to come, to serve its users and to offer surroundings that feel welcoming to everyone”, according to engineer and architect Ute Kramm from aplus architektur (Giessen).

To provide the generous glazed areas in the interior in response to the demand for a transparent and open building, Novoferm supplied some 150 NovoFire® smokeproof and fire resistant doors in glass frames that not only ensured the requisite function but also blended perfectly into the architectural surroundings.

It took just two years for Giessen, which is famous for its university, to build a new town hall enclosing a total space of 170,000 m³ and comprising a 6-storey administration building and the 5-storey “Stadthaus”, both of which were linked by a 3-storey entrance lobby and by the underground garage offering parking spaces for 426 vehicles as well as storage and ancillary space on two underground levels.

Germanischer Lloyd SE brought together its teams from 14 offices when it moved into its new headquarters in Hamburg’s HafenCity in 2010. The architectural design with contrasting traditional and modern styles emphasizes what it is that defines the functional performance of the open plan office landscapes:

On a floor area measuring 45,000 m², specialists from all sorts of disciplines work hard to secure their common goal – safety in maritime and energy business.

When designing the headquarters of globally operating Germanischer Lloyd SE, architect Jan Störmer took the brick façade that is so typical of HafenCity and added a striking glass cube that is set slightly back and where masses of daylight greet both staff and visitors. This light permeability – the architectural interpretation of the spirit of collaboration that prevails at Germanischer Lloyd – is a consistent feature throughout the entire complex. Even where doors create barriers for fire, smoke and noise. The range of variable NovoFire® doors made by Novoferm were used to implement the design. Although building code specifications for entrances, exits, passageways and access routes vary widely, the design language developed by the property owner and architects required a consistent appearance.

The actions of Germanischer Lloyd are dictated by norms and regulations. They form the basis, albeit coupled with engineering expertise, on which some 6,800 experts around the globe work to ensure the safety of mankind and nature. At the same time, construction is also dictated by norms and laws.

Architect Jan Störmer used the art of construction to impressively visualize the spirit of Germanischer Lloyd SE.

Mail order pioneer Werner Otto was always driven by the need to find the most effective access to customers. Not just through catalogues, but face to face with buyers, in large shopping centres.

What started as an idea when ECE was established back in 1965 has since become a common feature of many an urban landscape:
The company now operates some 140 shopping centres, many of which it designed and built itself. When a corporation operating in this field designs its own headquarters, you can expect the standards to be particularly demanding – even for halls and corridors, i.e. in-house connections.

In keeping with ECE’s philosophy of building shopping centres in inner-city areas that have already been urbanized, and thus injecting new life into them, the corporation’s new headquarters comprised an office and commercial building with around 25,600 m² total floor space in the heart of the Poppenbüttel district of Hamburg.

Surrounded by main traffic routes, the local railway network and shops, the architects blended the building seamlessly into the existing topography. The interior design also had to match – in this case the demands of property owners who were themselves experts in the field. The economic dimension had to be united with an environmental dimension, and security and functional performance with atmosphere and charm. Novoferm was able to supply the right framework with its huge choice of fire and smoke protection units made of steel tubular profiles with matching sheet steel doors.

The profitable construction and management of special purpose properties is one of ECE’s core competences. Decisions in favour of certain products and service providers are therefore based on a value triangle linking price, performance and quality.

In this case, the fire seals made by Novoferm weren’t the only winners. ECE also won – albeit in a different category – when the entire building was awarded the Silver Certificate by the German Association of Sustainable Construction (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen e.V.).

OpernTurm is 170 metres tall. The 42-storey tower opposite the venerable Alte Oper in Frankfurt was completed in 2010. More than 500 fire- and smokeproof seals made by Novoferm were installed in the core of the building – housing the underground garage and technical rooms – alone.

In front of the office tower is a podium building with two particularly striking details:
the representative entrance lobby spanning four floors and the shopping gallery with arcades extending more than seven metres up.

Sophisticated office and retail areas covering a total of 66,000 sqm were built in the tower and podium. Rest areas invite people to relax and chat. The exterior design considered the historical surroundings of Opernplatz.

The natural stone façade that was chosen for the new building not only matches the surrounding architecture; it also saves 20% of the energy needed to cool the 42 floors compared to a glass façade. By contrast, no compromises were allowed when it came to the building systems, especially where preventive fire and smoke protection were concerned.

In addition, Novoferm was able to satisfy the special structural and utilization requirements on schedule – which included precision-fitting door seals, various glazing designs, and special access authorization systems.