Press releaseMay 2018

Further information about publication:Schüco International KGUlrike KrügerKarolinenstr. 1–1533609 BielefeldTel.: +49 (0)521 783-803Fax: +49 (0)521 783-950803E-mail: PR@schueco.comwww.schueco.de/pressewww.schueco.de/press

Futurium, Berlin:Where the future is present

A unique building of the future has been built in the centre of Berlin. The “Futurium” – a joint project by the German Ministry of Education and Research, scientific organisations, foundations and various research companies – aims to provide insights into the world of tomorrow and present scenarios for possible futures through exhibitions, events and the laboratory. Thanks to two large structural glazing façades from the VISS SG steel profile system from Schüco Jansen Steel Systems, visitors are always able to connect these future worlds on show inside with the reality of the world outside.

The international and anonymous two-stage competition was won by Berlin architects Christoph Richter and Jan Musikowski with JUCA Landschaftsarchitekten, out of a total of 163 entries. Despite the pair having no comparable previous experience, the public-sector clients placed their trust in the young architects to work with them to realise their ambitious design. Alongside the fundamental requirement for creating a successful building – sensitively responding to the genius loci, the spirit of the place – the story behind the creation of this project is also a shining example of how to realise innovative architecture. With a number of special constructions, the architects pushed the boundaries of what is currently possible. The indispensable requirement for this is a constructive working relationship and willingness to learn from each other. Very early on, the expertise of partners from the industry was required. Schüco Jansen Steel Systems also contributed the knowledge needed for active involvement along with their experience to realise the ambitious design.

A good example of the cooperation between everyone involved in the planning in terms of the load-bearing structure, façade design, building physics and architecture is the two screen façades in the exhibition space on the top floor. The steel and glass constructions overlooking the forecourts to the north and south resemble shining screens from the outside, not dissimilar to the display of an oversized smartphone. They measure 28 by 8 metres (facing south, looking onto the German Chancellery and Bundestag) and 28 by 12 metres (facing north-east, with a view of the Charité hospital and central train station). In addition to the design requirements for maximum pane formats and minimised load-bearing structures, there were also structural requirements for sound reduction, thermal insulation, sun shading, darkening, wind loads, fire protection and safety barrier loading which had to be fulfilled. The triple insulating glass used here in a suspended mullion/transom construction is approximately 2.3 x 4 metres and fixed as a structural glazing system with no visible glazing clips. It also functions as a safety barrier. The continuous opaque edge fields were printed black on the reverse, making them appear part of the transparent glass surface.

Reversing the load dispersal using steel profilesThe key to the structural trick for the construction of the large structural glazing façades lies in the reversal of the load dispersal. The dead loads and live loads of the cantilevered intermediate floor, which measures 11 metres at the north end and 18 metres at the south, are transferred via tensioned steel bars each hanging on a steel hollow-box girder at the top. The bars therefore always remain under tensile stress, which meant they could be very narrow. The loads of the two structural glazing façades are also transferred via these steel brackets. Reversing the structural system means that it is the horizontally tensioned transoms, not the mullions, that support the wind load. The vertical mullions are merely inserted in between. The envisaged structural solution works as soon as all components, including the roof substructure, have a non-positive-locking connection with each other.

The two panorama façades are a project-specific solution which can only be realised with steel profiles. The architects

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chose the VISS SG profile system with a basic depth of just 150 millimetres and a narrow 60 millimetre face width. VISS SG from Schüco Jansen Steel Systems is a high-quality architectural solution for constructing attractive all-glass façades in an energy-efficient way. On the north-east façade, where the largest panes were installed, this allowed almost the maximum glass size that the approval permits for this all-glass façade system to be used. A special glazing clip anchor was developed in consultation with the contracted fabricator Metallbau Windeck GmbH, the engineering office for glass statics and a test institute. The silicone joints in the all-glass façades therefore measure 20 mm wide vertically, but 30 mm horizontally – a negligible difference given the immense dimensions of the all-glass façade, but one that is only noticeable to the trained eye.

Visitors were able to take a look behind the scenes on 16 September 2017 when the building first opened its doors to the public on “A Day in the Future. Open House at Futurium”. From 30 May to 9 June 2018 the Futurium is presenting its three exhibition topics – our future relationship with technology, nature and ourselves – as part of “Workshop Weeks”. The whole of the Futurium is set to open in spring 2019. This will be the end of the thoroughly constructive collaboration between the many specialists involved in the construction, without whom it would have been impossible to realise the ambitious and sophisticated design. Under the direction of Christoph Richter and Jan Musikowski, they have created an architectural jewel which enhances Berlin’s River Spree in every respect.

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Project detailsClient: Bundesanstalt für Immobilienaufgaben (Institute for Federal Real Estate), Berlin, withBundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (Federal Ministry of Education and Research), BerlinArchitects: Richter Musikowski, BerlinGeneral contractor: BAM Deutschland AG, BerlinPanorama façade installation:Metallbau Windeck GmbH, Kloster Lehnin Steel profile systems used:Ground floor entrance area: VISS TVS façade profiles with high structural properties Top floor panorama façade: VISS SG structural glazingDoors: Janisol HI (outside) and Janisol (inside)System supplier: Schüco Jansen Steel Systems

For more information, visit Schüco Jansen Steel SystemsKarolinenstraße 1 – 1533609 BielefeldTel. +49 521 783-0Fax: +49 521 783-959252info@schueco.comwww.schueco.com

Further information about publication:BAUtext Mediendienst MünchenAnne-Marie RingWilhelm-Dieß-Weg 1381927 Munich, GermanyTel.: +49 (0)89 21 11 12 06Fax: +49 (0)89 21 11 12 14E-mail: a.ring@bautext.de

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Schüco – System solutions for windows, doors and façadesBased in Bielefeld, the Schüco Group develops and sells system solutions for windows, doors and façades. With more than 4900 employees worldwide, the company strives to be the industry leader in terms of technology and service today and in the future. In addition to innovative products for residential and commercial buildings, the building envelope specialist offers consultation and digital solutions for all phases of a building project – from the initial idea through to design, fabrication and installation. 12,000 fabricators, developers, architects and investors around the world work together with Schüco. The company is active in more than 80 countries and achieved a turnover of 1.575 billion euros in 2017. For more information, visit www.schueco.com

Under the name Schüco Jansen Steel Systems, Schüco sells steel systems from the Swiss company Jansen AG exclusively in Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Luxembourg, the UK, Russia and the Baltic States. In return, Jansen AG sells Schüco products in Switzerland.

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Picture credits: Schüco Jansen Steel SystemsPhotographer: Stephan Falk, Berlin

High-resolution pictures are available to download in the Schüco Newsroom at www.schueco.de/presse.

A close look at the south façade of the Futurium allows a remarkable comparison to be made: while the entrance façade at just over 6 m high required the use of steel profiles with high structural properties, the structural glazing façade above it (8 m to the south, 12 m high to the north) was constructed with very slender profiles. To implement the project-specific special solution with the VISS SG profile system from Schüco Jansen Steel Systems, the architects used a structural trick and reversed the structural system: it is the horizontally tensioned transoms, not the mullions, that support the wind load. The mullions are merely inserted in between. This is a construction process which is only possible with steel profiles.

The Futurium is a museum, laboratory and forum for discussing the issues of the future. With a number of special constructions, the architects also pushed the boundaries of what is currently possible in the building itself.

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Thanks to the two large screen façades, visitors are always able to connect these future worlds on show inside with the reality of the world outside.

The two-field-high south façade hangs on five tensioned steel bars, suspended from a steel hollow-box girder at the top.

The three-field-high north façade hangs on six tensioned steel bars, suspended from a steel hollow-box girder at the top. The triple insulating glazing used in the suspended VISS SG mullion/transom construction is approximately 2.3 x 4 m and fixed as a structural glazing system with no visible glazing clips.

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The entranceways between the foyer and the event forum were designed as double-leaf door units with increased sound-reduction requirements. The narrow door profile holds toplight glazing of approx. 3000 x 3000 mm.

Filled with paraffin and projected with colourful light, glass panes clad the lift shafts and a paraffin storage tank which stores solar energy. This housing was also constructed with the VISS SG structural glazing system from Schüco Jansen Steel Systems.

Picture credits: Schüco Jansen Steel Systems

Façade elevation north

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Façade elevation south

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