Futuristic headquarters of BHS Corrugated in Weiherhammer
BHS Corrugated Maschinen- und Anlagenbau GmbH is the world market leader for corrugated board systems. The company has invested heavily in its main location in Weiherhammer, not far from the Bavarian town of Weiden: a new building infrastructure and production ensure the site's attractiveness and set the course for the successful implementation of Industry 4.0.
The heart of this investment is the new headquarters building. The office complex, which is very striking with its curved shape was designed and built by the furoris gruppe from Chemnitz. Glass plays an important role in their architectural language. Triple solar control insulating glass units in the glass façade ensure light and brightness as well as thermal comfort.
The architects of the furoris gruppe, inspired by the appearance of the corrugated board, designed a vividly curved building with delicate glass joints. They planned the new building as an aesthetically curved structure made of reinforced concrete. Depending on the geometries, different sizes of white concrete slabs were cast on site for each floor and thermally separated from the building. This creates the impression of dynamic movement, but at the same time of a certain lightness and futuristic appearance. Form and function of the company headquarters are redefined in this way and provide the template for the working world of tomorrow.
The glass façade is an aluminum mullion-and-transom construction (WICTEC 50 straight and polygonal) with fixed elements and window and door elements. For the large-area glazing, the architects wanted neutral and slightly reflective glass. At the same time, the requirements for solar control during summer time with the lowest possible g-value had to be met. After checking glass samples and consultation with the Flachglas MarkenKreis, 4000 m² of the Pilkington Suncool™ 50/25 high performance solar control glass processed into triple glazed units was installed as floor to ceiling high glazing. The triple glass structure has a low g-value of 25% and a Ug-value of 0.6 W/m²K. The inner and outer panes of the up to 3.70 high glass elements were made of toughened and heat soak tested glass. The cantilevers of the curved concrete elements form a structural sun protection: in summer, they provide effective shading.
With the reorientation of its location, BHS Corrugated has set an example. It's not just the aesthetics of the exterior shape that impresses the imposing structure; Another convincing feature is the innovative usage concept, which creates jobs of the future and puts the employee at the center.
Futuristic headquarters of BHS Corrugated designed by furoris gruppe GmbH has been awarded with German Design Award Special 2019 for Excellent Communications Design Architecture.
Photography: Michael Sommer