SUCCESSFUL PREMIERE OF THE AUFBAU SYMPOSIUM

Werth, 15 October 2016 - Standards restrict the design freedom of architects, and their implementation requires specialist knowledge in seemingly peripheral areas. The integration of security measures for building planning into an aesthetically and functionally coherent overall concept poses a particular challenge. This is why Novoferm, as one of the leading European system suppliers of doors, gates, frames and operators, has developed a seminar concept that provides comprehensive and objective information on all aspects of the subject as a recognised training event for architects. The offer has met with great demand, and the first Novoferm symposium entitled "AUFBAU" was fully booked long before the date on 27 September.

At the event, architects from all over Germany were given a sound overview of the legal and formal framework conditions and upcoming changes. The focus was on fire protection, but topics such as accessibility, special functional requirements and, last but not least, the question of how functional and safety standards can be reconciled with different design concepts were also addressed

For the seminar held in the new Novoferm Showroom & Training Center in Dortmund, Novoferm was able to attract renowned external speakers from architecture and companies who specialise in certain aspects of the subject area, in addition to its own experts. This professional breadth and depth has led to "AUFBAU" being recognised as a further training event by the NRW Chamber of Architects.

The discussions, lectures and presentations at the event focused on the tension between design, function and standards, which is increasingly determining the conceptual work of architects. In his keynote speech at the start of the event, interior architect and designer Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Rudolf Schricker began by describing the normative requirements for architects. Against this backdrop, he illustrated what design approaches could look like that, on the one hand, meet human needs more closely and, on the other, fulfil functional or preventative standards without compromises.

Safety requirements are, however, subject to dynamic development, as Jörn Lohmann, Product Manager at Novoferm, explained using the example of fire protection. He gave an overview of the large number of regulations and provisions that must be taken into account when creating a fire protection concept and explained the differences between the still valid DIN 4102 and the new product standard EN 16034. Using current data from fire protection statistics and examples of sources of error in fire protection concepts, Jörn Lohmann documented how important fire protection is for the safety of people and buildings.

He then described the specific requirements for fire protection closures with doors and the design options for fire protection doors. fire protection doors design options offered by state-of-the-art fire doors. Design options were at the centre of his second presentation. Here, Jörn Lohmann used examples to show how glass can be used as a building material to create transparency and open-plan spaces while achieving all protection goals if the glass meets the quality standards of innovative glass such as NovoFire Glass.

Another topic at this year's AUFBAU symposium was the functional and normative requirements for different interior doors and the available technical and design solutions. Speakers Dominik Tanner and Reinhold Beck from Jeld-Wen Germany showed ways in which individual aesthetics and standard-compliant functionality can be combined in the best possible way. Dipl.-Ing. Olaf Thies (GEZE) then gave an overview of the approaches that can be used to integrate accessibility as an additional criterion in interior design concepts.

To conclude the event, Novoferm product manager Dr Dieter Ehlting was able to demonstrate to the assembled architects how companies are working to meet the demands of architecture for aesthetic diversity and harmony through innovative products. Since autumn 2016, the Novo-Porta Plano has been available to the market as a flush-fitting door for upmarket commercial buildings that combines high technical functionality with high-quality design and guarantees the greatest possible scope thanks to countless equipment options and finishes.