To upgrade a 40 year old highway maintenance authority to current energy efficiency standards and to adapt it to vehicles which always get bigger is a quite specific task. An unusual and holistic idea including Butzbach fibreglass doors and facades could furnish the solution: a steel frame structure erected in front of the old building fulfills at the same time the climate protection requirements and all functional aspects of the building.
Thermal insulation
The advanced building skin was executed as a continuous, thermally insulated shell. The integrated SECTIOLITE industrial doors and the VARIOPLANplus curtain wall with their fibreglass infill, featuring a Up value of 1.4 W/m²K, could substantially participate in the energyefficient renovation.
Door dimensions
The existing openings of the former folding doors had to remain entirely accessible, so that also the modern and much bigger snow plows of today can use the garages. The slim steel column construction placed in front of the old facade made a clearance of 4750 mm for all 16 SECTIOLITE doors possible, as required. In addition the depth of the building could be extended by approx. 1 m.
Natural light
Due to the highly light transmitting fibreglass in the facade and in the doors, the entire building front turns into a passive light source. This contributes substantially to an economy in energy consumption, as the need for artificial light is reduced. Furthermore the employees appreciate very much the bright and dazzlefree light quality especially for their repair and maintenance works in the garages.
Practical operation
The sectional doors open fully automatically, they are robust, need almost no maintenance and can be operated at any weather conditions. The integrated pass doors with nearly barrier free threshold make the access for staff fast and safe. Integrated panoramic screens give perfect view into or out of the buildings.
Design
The adapted design with SECTIOLITE fibre glass sectional doors, a perfectly aligned horizontal structure in the VARIOPLANplus fibre glass facade and the treatment of all metal surfaces in DB 703 lead to a modern and uniform design of the entire building complex and make the highway maintenance authority in all aspects an absolutely successful renovation.
