References for administration and office buildings

For the architects at kadawittfeldarchitektur, transparency, in the literal sense of the word, was a guiding principle for the building concept. The fire protection concept, which is necessarily complex for buildings of this size, naturally had to be subordinate to these specifications. Precisely because transparency and openness also determine the interior design, the building user was looking for a supplier for the 20 fire and smoke protection doors that would transfer the highest safety standards to customised products.

Novoferm was ultimately chosen for the visible work area, with customised tubular frame door solutions from the NovoFire® series; in addition, fire protection doors from the NovoPorta Premio series, some with glass cut-outs, were used in the functional areas of the basement. It was important to the client that the doors blend into the architecture in every respect - the open-plan building, which is designed for communication and socialising, should not be visibly segmented by fire doors.

Openness is created by width, among other things, which is why Novoferm had to produce "oversized" doors: The single-leaf doors measure 1.50 x 2.60 metres, and some of them are complemented by glazed side panels. The colouring and surface quality of the tubular frame constructions correspond exactly to the appearance of the other building elements: However, a very special detail makes them particularly valuable: the paintwork of all the aluminium tubular frame doors is matched to the colour of the exterior façade. This increases recognition and reinforces the uniform appearance.

The main stairwell must be specially protected against the effects of fire. Ventilated corridors and stairwells ensure a pleasant indoor climate. However, they present the door technology with a particular challenge: the changing air pressures in the individual sections regularly result in fluctuating forces for operating the doors.

If both doors of a section - an airlock - close at the same time in the event of a fire, an overpressure is created inside. As a result, the doors can no longer close fully automatically. Fire protection is jeopardised. A fundamental problem. In Frankfurt, this was solved by the high functionality of the BS doors used here. The overhead door closers integrated in this system have an exact fine adjustment in combination with precisely machined latches and precisely fitting seals. The fine adjustment made it possible to adjust the closing time in a complex but completely individualised way. Now one door closes with a slight delay to the other. The air pressure can escape. Vital in an emergency. The result: secure closing without slamming and at the same time convenient opening without effort.

In the ONE Goetheplaza, the high-quality product selection and precise installation resulted in a convincing solution for architects and building owners for this demanding property.

The ^NovoFire® fire doors used here not only fit perfectly into the sophisticated architectural environment in terms of function, but also design.

The ^NovoFire® frame and door profiles only require one fire protection core, which is anchored in the centre of the profile without additional brackets. On the one hand, this compact design enables a uniform face width of just 150 mm. On the other hand, the outer profile chambers remain free and can be used, for example, for cable ducts or for attaching add-on parts. The door rebate of the T30 and T90 doors is clad on three sides with a continuous fire protection strip coated with black PVC. This means that even when the doors are open, they provide a permanently attractive view and are easy to clean.

In the immediate vicinity of the post-war congress hall and the Wilhelminian-style municipal theatre, "the new town hall stands confidently in the centre of Giessen, restrained, yet consistent, very direct in its architectural language, with the claim to be a house for citizens for many decades, to serve the user and to offer rooms in which everyone feels comfortable," says architect Ute Kramm from aplus architektur (Giessen).

Novoferm supplied almost 150 NovoFire® smoke and fire protection doors in glass frame construction for the generous glass surfaces in the interior, which play a decisive role in the building's claim to transparency and openness, and which not only fit perfectly into the architectural environment in terms of function, but also visually.

The ^NovoFire® frame and door profiles only require one fire protection core, which is anchored in the centre of the profile without additional brackets. On the one hand, this compact design enables a uniform face width of just 150 mm. On the other hand, the outer profile chambers remain free and can be used, for example, for cable ducts or for attaching add-on parts. The door rebate of the T30 and T90 doors is clad on three sides with a continuous fire protection strip coated with black PVC. This means that even when the doors are open, they provide a permanently attractive view and are easy to clean.

A wall thickness of 4 mm and internal reinforcements in the area of the hinges and add-on parts make the ^NovoFire® door elements extremely robust against mechanical influences. Thanks to the reinforcements, the doors only require two hinges at the same time, which in turn reduces the adjustment and maintenance effort and also favours the ease of movement of the door leaves. In addition, the dry glazing with EPDM seals ensures a durable, easy-care transition from the profile to the glass.

^NovoFire® glass frame constructions offer fire protection without compromising on design thanks to the consistent visual uniformity from smoke protection to fire resistance class F90, the ability to combine doors, side panels and fanlights up to 5.0 m high (F30), with only two hinges per door leaf and the flush-mounted frame and door profile. For high aesthetic demands. For maximum design freedom. For transparent sustainability.

With the 6-storey administration building, the 5-storey town hall, both connected by a 3-storey entrance hall and the underground car park, which contains 426 parking spaces as well as storage and ancillary rooms on two underground levels, the University City of Giessen realised a new town hall building with a total of 170,000 m³ of enclosed space within a construction period of just two years.

The ADAC offers help, protection and advice to over eighteen million members, with over 2,400 ADAC employees looking after their needs every day. The new building creates the conditions for everything to work together smoothly. It must also ensure that employees and companies are protected against damage. Today, this includes preventive fire protection in particular. Only the installation of sophisticated, type-tested fire and smoke protection closures that are customised to the structural requirements can guarantee safety in the event of a fire. Novoferm not only has many years of experience and the necessary product range in this sector, but also the necessary expertise for customised special solutions - characteristics that were also decisive for this project.

"Munich's new landmark "*, the 93 metre high ADAC office tower, which can be seen from afar, rises up in the commercial area of Munich's west. In addition to its architectural significance, it also stands for modern, innovative building technology. In addition to Novoferm fire protection closures, this includes the energy concept, which utilises geothermal energy and photovoltaics as well as fresh air, sun protection and cooling systems.

*quote "Münchner Merkur"

Architect Jan Störmer interrupts the brick façade of the headquarters of the globally active Germanischer Lloyd SE, which matches the traditional image of HafenCity, with a recessed, imposing glass cube. Here, employees and visitors alike are welcomed by plenty of light. This translucency, the architectural interpretation of the spirit of co-operation at Germanischer Lloyd, runs through the entire building. Even where doors form a barrier to fire, smoke or sound. The variable NovoFire® range of doors from Novoferm is used to realise this. As different as the structural regulations for entrances, exits, passages and accesses may be, the visual appearance is standardised in the design language developed by the client and architect.

Fire protection regulations and architectural specifications lead to special requirements for doors. Novoferm's consulting expertise and its wide and varied "^NovoFire®" product range cover almost all requirements: fire-resistant T30 and fire-resistant T90 doors in accordance with DIN 4102 (tested in accordance with DIN EN 1634), with smoke control in accordance with DIN 18095 if required, sound insulation in accordance with DIN EN ISO 717-1 and burglar resistance in accordance with DIN V ENV 1627.

Single and double-leaf aluminium profile tube frame doors with glazing as well as sheet steel doors with and without light diffusers were used in the Germanischer Lloyd company headquarters.

Passage heights and widths in the building vary. Matching top panels and side panels in the required protection class create a harmonious overall appearance. The aluminium profile tube frame construction can accommodate glass as well as aluminium panel infills powder-coated in the frame colour.

The profile depth of T30 elements is 74 mm, of T90 elements 90 mm. A visually barely perceptible difference that contributes to visual uniformity.

The properties of doors are determined not least by what is to happen behind them. In the seminar area of Germanischer Loyd SE, for example, maximum quiet must prevail.

The doors here are specially adapted with sound insulation for this purpose. In the event of a fire, the additional smoke protection integrated at neuralgic points and the controlled door closers with integrated hold-open function ensure maximum safety for employees, visitors and seminar participants.

Sound, fire and smoke protection are thus customised and combined almost invisibly.

Visually, all doors are the same - and yet almost every one is unique. Customised convenience options such as swing door operators for double-leaf doors are an example of this.

Novoferm guarantees system security:
The design-coordinated interaction of the components and the pre-assembly of the door and operator at the factory ensure functionality and durability.

Standards and guidelines determine the actions of Germanischer Lloyd. On this basis, but paired with the art of engineering, around 6,800 experts around the world work for the safety of people and nature.

Equally, standards and laws determine construction.

With Baukunst, architect Jan Störmer has impressively succeeded in giving the spirit of Germanischer Lloyd SE a face.

Profitable construction and management of specialised real estate is one of ECE's core competencies. Decisions for products and service providers are therefore based on the value triangle "price-performance-quality".

Not only the fire protection closures from Novoferm were "worth their price" here. ECE received a different kind of award for the entire building: the "Silver Certificate" from the German Sustainable Building Council.

A total of 66,000 square metres of high-quality office and retail space has been created in the tower and podium building. Lounge areas invite visitors to relax and socialise. The historical surroundings of the Opernplatz were incorporated into the exterior design. The natural stone façade chosen for the new building not only harmonises with the surrounding buildings, but also saves 20% of the energy required to cool the 42 floors compared to a glass façade. On the other hand, no compromises were allowed in the building technology, particularly in the area of preventive fire and smoke protection.

Novoferm was also able to fulfil special requests on time in accordance with the structural and user requirements - including customised door closures, different types of glazing and special access authorisations.