Polygonal HI-MACS® structure in Munich's HVB-Tower by HENN. A new geometrical dimension

Square, triangle, diamond - these terms do not do justice to the pearl white HI-MACS® interior design found in the entrance hall of the HVB-Tower of HypoVereinsbank.

Acute angles, sharp or soft corners and tilted surfaces of various inclines are all combined to form a polygonal body that mostly resembles a crystal. It serves as a parapet, stretching across three floors and creating a spatial boundary to the atrium.

Using this crystal shape, Munich-based HENN architects made the DNA of the building visible for everyone, just as requested by the owner of the building. At the same time, they created a new geometrical dimension. Its impressive effect could not have been achieved without the solid surface material HI-MACS® which can be bonded seamlessly, giving the crystalline body extending across rooms a flawless appearance.

The designers’ request for “seamlessness” led to the conscious decision to use the solid surface material. At the same time, it posed a challenge for the partners 5D Engineering and Arnold AG who were tasked with implementation planning. In order to meet the requirements, Arnold AG developed a two-part substructure that absorbs the movement of the cladding: the primary substructure transfers all loads to the building, while a secondary one, flexibly fixed to the primary substructure, follows the HI-MACS® surface on the inside. This allows for slight movements caused by thermal expansion of the solid surface material to be absorbed. Any necessary cladding joints were placed in optical corners, making them nearly invisible.

850 square metres - 500 individual components - 36 tonnes

Today, this installation, challenging even for solid surface material experts Rosskopf+Partner, is no longer visible in the seemingly weightless (despite an actual weight of 36 tonnes) crystal. Close to 850 square metres of HI-MACS®, supplied as 500 different individual components, were assembles, screwed together, bonded and smoothed on site with millimetre precision - all across three floors.

Despite its impressive size and shape, the smooth, non-porous HI-MACS® surface, its superior look and warm feel create a welcoming friendly atmosphere in the consistently white entrance hall. The solid surface material is ideal for use in heavy traffic areas such as offices and work spaces: it is extremely hygienic, low maintenance and robust. Minor signs of wear and tear can be polished away easily. It complies with fire safety regulations and is flame retardant according to DIN 4102-1 B1.

The HVB-Tower is equipped with an attractive “smart working” concept that meets the bank's request for flexible and communication promoting work spaces appropriate to the digital age. HENN converted this listed high-rise building into a “green building” offering savings in the areas of heating energy, electricity and water.

Parts of the façade are originally preserved: even though the monocoque façade was completely removed and replaced by a double-skin structure, around 6,000 of the original aluminium panels at the front of the building could be cleaned and reinstalled in the new façade elements row by row. This nearly unchanged façade with a window opening not visible from the outside enabled the architects to perfectly combine sustainability and modern design.

PROJECT INFORMATION

PROJECT: Modernisation and redesign HVB-Tower
LOCATION: Munich, Germany
BUILDER: HVB Immobilien AG
DESIGN: HENN GmbH
CONSTRUCTION YEAR: 1981
CONSTRUCTION PERIOD: 2012-2015
IMPLEMENTATION PLANNING “KRISTALL”: 5D Engineering, Dresden and Arnold AG, Friedrichsdorf
PRODUCTION AND INSTALLATION SECONDARY SUBSTRUCTURE AND CLADDING: Rosskopf+Partner AG, Obermehler
CONSTRUCTION MODEL AND PRODUCTION DATA INDIVIDUAL COMPONENTS: designtoproduction, Stuttgart
MATERIAL: HI-MACS®
PHOTOS: HG Esch Photography
TEXT: Manuela Papadakis / Ruess Public B

Source: HI-MACS®

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