Modern Office Building Features User Controlled Mesh Facade For Sunshading And Privacy Needs
Project Name: Asfinag Office Building
Location: Innsbruck, Austria
Architect: Peter Lorenz Ateliers
GKD Metal Fabric: Omega Divergence
Innsbruck, Austria is famous for its historic downtown that features Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architectural styles. Amidst the classic architecture is a serge of modern buildings as well. Internationally celebrated architect, Zaha Hadid, designed their Hungerburgbahn futuristic railway station. The mixture of classic and modern architecture can be controversial, as some believe the integrity of a historic city can be jeopardized by modern development. Yet, others believe in co-mingling the different architectural styles to showcase the technological advancements of the 21st century.
The site of the Asfinag Office Building by Peter Lorenz is quite extraordinary surrounded by an 18th century historical park, a lush stream landscape and the mountains of the Alps. Lorenz designed the space with an emphasis on communicative and common spaces to create a reduced and flexible work environment.
A singular element of the building’s design is ever changing and allows user manipulation, an interactive mesh façade. Interior users, to adhere to their individual needs of daylighting and privacy, can adjust the stainless steel mesh façade.
GKD’s Omega Divergence sunshading exterior allows for the reduction of direct sunlight to the interior by 50%. Several technology advancements were featured with the building’s design to reduce its ecological footprint, including a geothermic heating and cooling systems eliminates the need for fossil fuel energy consumption by utilizing a pumping system of groundwater instead. Although it is often debated, the mixture of contemporary buildings with historic architecture can create a living timeline, showcasing our progression as humans.
Information courtesy of Arch Daily
Photography © Günther Wett