Nuremberg Trial

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Heritage conservation requirements often make the refurbishment of buildings a bit of a trial, as was the case at the Academy of Fine Arts in Nuremberg.

The appropriate renewal of the window façades of this icon of modern post-war architecture was supported by using a warm edge spacer bar from Swisspacer. The filigree look of the buildings was thus retained and the building’s energy balance significantly improved.

The visual lightness, minimal constructions, full-height glazed walls and slimline roofs are characteristic of the structures, which were listed as a cultural heritage site in 1988.

However, during the winter months in particular, the windows created an unpleasant indoor climate and extremely high heating costs. The first step to counter this was successfully completed in 2020 with the necessary refurbishment of Pavilion 1.

Façade refurbishment and heritage conservation

The measures, which included the modernisation of the entire building technology, also involved the renovation of the steel and glass façades. The single glazing in the courtyard façades was also replaced with double-glazing units.

 “Our objective was to improve the energy performance of the building envelope, taking into account its heritage status.”

– Swantje Schröder 

Head Of Department, State Building Authority for Erlangen-Nuremberg.

Prerequisite

“The new façades were also to match the existing windows in terms of their dimensions and profile sizes. This was the prerequisite for replacing the façades of the heritage listed building,” continues Schröder.

Mind the gap

Achieving the installation depth of the original elements of 80mm required a large gap between the panes and thus an unusually sized warm edge spacer bar for the customised façade elements. It was to be 36mm wide and white. The research for a suitable product ultimately led the planners to Swisspacer and the firm's Ultimate product which delivered the required width and colour  -and excellent thermal insulation.

The owners of Swisspacer, Saint-Gobain Glassolutions, manufactured the glass façade elements. The appearance of the structures remains authentic and the building is assured of optimised thermal insulation and thus lower energy costs in the long term.

The revision of other buildings on the site is planned to commence in 2021.

Picture: The refurbished the Academy of Fine Arts in Nuremberg.

www.swisspacer.com

Article written by Cathryn Ellis
25th March 2021

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