Flexim Headquarters / Press Release / Low Tech for Industry
„The future of timber construction lies in the development of simple LowTech buildings with climate regulating and permeable envelopes that can eliminate the need for expensive building services such as air conditioning and mechanical ventilation. Furthermore we are focussing on the development of simple and robust details with exposed timber structural elements calculated for fire protection on the basis of charring rate, this allows us to avoid the need for expensive fire protection claddings.”
Prof. Eike Roswag-Klinge, Architect
Both of these progressive ideas were realised by ZRS Architekten Ingenieure in the new headquarters building for Flexim GmbH in Berlin-Marzahn. Through these and the application of regenerative energy sources, the 13,700m2 building operates at 30% below the strict German EnEv standard.
Flexim, an internationally leading company in the development and production of ultrasound flow-rate measuring devices, were able to move into their new building in November 2017. The firm wanted a headquarters that was designed around the production process but also could accommodate and unite the research, administration and logistic functions central to their operation. The concept, based around a series of courtyards surrounded by interlocking loops, can be realised in stages to accommodate the rapid growth of the company; two of the planned six loops have now been completed. The Timber-Concrete composite structural system provides an envelope of high-quality and performance that ensures a healthy interior room climate for the user while providing a large degree of flexibility for the future.
The timber band facade defines the building’s image and was delivered in pre-fabricated units including insulation to minimise construction time. The hybrid ceiling structure with its timber beams and concrete down-stands and columns characterises all of the interior spaces. The building provides a pioneering example for LowTech timber construction in a mainly industrial context north of the centre of Berlin-Marzahn.
