New York
A touch of “New York” thanks to sliding shutters from Baier
The development of the “Obere Höhe” quarter is being carried out on behalf of the Städtische Baugesellschaft and thus sets a milestone for the future of Oberkirch. Today, five individual houses and an apartment building with 22 residential units are located on the approximately 4,300 m2 former barracks site of the French armed forces. In September 2015, after only 15 months of construction, the first flats were handed over to the tenants on time and within budget.
The distinctive three-storey portico building consists of three segments that are connected to each other by a building-high joint. The two eastern structures each have a penthouse floor. Sliding shutters by Baier of the “New York” model provide the necessary privacy, especially in the area of the continuous balconies, despite the generous window openings. In addition, they cause the expression of the building to constantly change due to the sliding elements. Just as varied as the façade design is the heterogeneous resident population, which arises due to the varying flat sizes from 2 to 4 rooms on 70 m2 to 140 m2.
An anthracite-coloured element rarely comes alone
The segmented apartment building was designed with a white plaster façade on the lower three floors and an anthracite-coloured one on the penthouse floor. The individual residential units are accessed via the north façade, which is given a small-scale appearance by upright glass louvres. The south façade has generous balconies across the entire width of the flats. Anthracite-coloured sliding shutters with fine perforations round off the façade design by accentuating the white plaster façade on the one hand and creating a connection to the dark grey penthouse floor on the other.
Adaptable and individual multi-talent
Sliding shutters have long since replaced classic window shutters in façade design. With their variety of colours and materials, they stand for modern design, sun protection and functionality. With matching fittings and proven drives, Baier offers the right solution for every property. This is also the case in Oberkirch. A total of 32 sliding shutters were used as natural, external sun protection in the arcade house. The manual operation allows the residents to choose individually between retreat or openness and to move the privacy elements as their living situation requires. In addition, they keep the interiors from heating up even when there is strong incidence of light. In the Oberkirchen project, a filling made of 3 mm thick, round perforated aluminium sheet in dark grey was used. In addition, Baier also offers a wide range of other variants. Whether stainless steel, glass, wire mesh or wooden slats: Thanks to the specially developed aluminium base frames, there are virtually no limits to the façade design in terms of colour and infill.
Extruded and perforated
The sliding shutter of the “New York” model stands for timeless design. The choice of different perforations and holes offers great design potential that can be adapted to the respective architecture. The frames, which are made of extruded aluminium profiles, are mitred and pressed together using corner brackets. The infill, i.e. the aluminium sheet, is folded over all the way round and riveted to the frame at the sides and at the glazing bars. The hangings are then powder-coated after assembly. The coating is done according to the RAL standard colour chart, but other special shades or structures can also be realised on request. In Oberkirch, the architects opted for the colour iron mica, DB 703, with fine perforation. The lightweight aluminium profiles, which are guided in rails, are attached to the balconies and steel railings with stainless steel brackets. Due to the rail guidance, the sliding shutters do not seem like an additive element, but rather like an integral part of the overall façade.
All-round design and advice
The northern segment of the three-family house is equipped with a generous roof terrace instead of the penthouse floor. Here, too, there is the option of using the sliding shutters in front as a sun or privacy screen from the five detached houses opposite. Just as all-embracing as the openings of the roof terrace, however, is the advice provided by Baier. Through professional competence and architectural expertise, the company ensures goal-oriented cooperation with the architects as early as the planning stage.
Using challenges as opportunities
With the development of the new residential quarter, the investors are killing several birds with one stone: they are counteracting the acute housing shortage by creating affordable, barrier-free living space in an attractive location. In addition, the urban positioning of the arcade building has another effect: the volume protects the residential area behind it, which has a rather small structure, from street noise. And the project also scores points in terms of energy efficiency. Designed to the KfW Efficiency House 70 standard, it requires around 30 per cent less primary energy per year than the reference house according to EnEV.
Forward-looking neighbourhood development
For the architects, the companies involved in the construction and Baier GmbH, the building project was a home game: mainly regional companies were used for the realisation. Due to the mix of uses and the design quality, the new apartment building represents and covers the diversity of the housing market. With the entire development of the residential quarter, the Oberkirch municipal construction company has succeeded in building on an available plot of land close to the city in a trend-setting way that is characteristic of the locality and in compliance with time and cost specifications.
