Kiefer technic showroom by Ernst Giselbrecht + Partner, photo by Paul Ott
This new office building of the Austrian metal company Kiefer technic designed by the Graz based practice Ernst Giselbrecht + Partner is characterised by a dynamic façade system of electrically driven folding elements made of perforated aluminium. These façades change continuously each day, each hour showing a new “face” but can also be adapted individually to changing conditions and needs.
Kiefer technic showroom by Ernst Giselbrecht + Partner, photo by Paul Ott
Here is what the architect explains:
“In earlier times, façades were characterised by window arrangements and axes. They often featured surface relief with architectural elements from the relevant period or style. The structure of the façade also determined the ground plan; the greater the number of window axes in a room, the more important the function of the user.”
Kiefer technic showroom by Ernst Giselbrecht + Partner, photo by Paul Ott
“Not long ago office buildings had a clear structure and the number of axes was prede-termined – e.g. how many for a director or high-ranking counsellor and how many for a mere civil servant.
With the introduction of window strips, these hierarchies were abandoned. Today it is possible that the complete exterior façade is transparent, and this very transparency in-dicates a modern character. At the same time, individual requirements escalate and need to be reconciled with the desire for comfort.”
Kiefer technic showroom by Ernst Giselbrecht + Partner, photo by Paul Ott
Kiefer technic showroom by Ernst Giselbrecht + Partner, photo by Paul Ott
Kiefer technic showroom by Ernst Giselbrecht + Partner, photo by Paul Ott
