GLASS FOR FAÇADE 2021

70 71 GLASS FOR FAÇADE EDITION 2021 GLASS FOR FAÇADE EDITION 2021 STATICS TURNED UPSIDE DOWN HEALTH & CARE MED 360 HEADQUARTERS Location Marie-Curie-Straße 12, Leverkusen, Germany Architect Architekturbüro Rotterdam Dakowski GmbH, Leverkusen, Germany Glass processor Vetrotech SAINT-GOBAIN Photos ©Vetrotech SAINT-GOBAIN Photographer: Andreas Wiese 44by44metres – for the newMED360° company headquarters in Leverkusen- Manfort, the architects Rotterdam Dakowski designed a strictly square structure. The spacious entrance area leads directly into a three-storey atrium measuring 15 by 15 metres, spanned by slender prestressed concrete beams with elongated glass strips. Large-sized fire-resistant windows in the surrounding walls of the inner courtyard lead the daylight into the offices behind them. Naturally lit workplaces were created for almost all 280 employees – a great challenge for the construction material glass in terms of fire and sound protection. CONTRAFLAM® 30, a high-tech product from Vetrotech SAINT- GOBAIN was chosen for the fire resistant glazing. Its high colour neutrality and transparency provides discreet, almost imperceptible fire protection. Medicke Fassadentechnik GmbH installed a total of 339 m 2 of fire resistant glass in the new company headquarters. 172 m 2 were used as fall- protection glazing and further 22 m 2 with an alarm, providing secure access to the offices to prevent unauthorised entry.