We’re no strangers to listed buildings and have already implemented a lot of construction projects in this sector,
although historic, or even culturally historic buildings are less frequent. In addition to the skylights on the roof of the orangerie of Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam, we can now present another highlight in Berlin: the old art centre “Kunsthaus Tacheles” on Oranienburger Strasse.
Here we planned, made and fitted nine dual pitched rooflights with wooden supporting structures and mounted them on concrete plinths that had been prepared on site in advance. Each dual pitched rooflight is about 5 metres long and approx. 1 m wide.
The triple glazing has particularly good thermal insulation properties with a Ug value of 0.50 W/m²K and a Uw value of 0.79 W/m²K, while high efficiency solar control glass counteracts overheating without darkening the room.
In addition, a total of 33 SHEV opening modules (smoke and heat exhaust ventilation windows) ensure safe air exchange so that vital emergency escape routes remain free of smoke in the event of a fire. The SHEV controller itself is triggered by smoke alarms, switches as well as wind and rain sensors.
But the true advantage is the modular design with very discreet profiles that are just 52 mm wide (or just 50 mm with double glazing), and the opening modules are identical to the fixed glazed modules when closed – thanks to the motors being concealed within the frame.
We are, of course, proud to give new splendour to a building that has survived two world wars, in which Wertheim once sold its wares and was saved by the Tacheles artists’ initiative shortly before its planned demolition, but much more important to us is the future, because once the restoration, carried out by the architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron GmbH (the architects of the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg), has been completed, art will finally move in once again.
The Swedish photography museum Fotografiska is due to open its German branch by the end of 2022. GLASOLUX provides the appropriate daylight illumination – in addition to lounge areas, exhibition halls are also being created in the roof.