Full sail: these offices are planned around a series of glazed courts that are celebrations of tectonic invention and also contribute to the building's energy management. (Glass Futures).Festo are a well-known German manufacturer of pneumatic equipment based in Esslingen. The company's existing headquarters was recently expanded to add an extra 34 000 sq m of space. The design formula is familiar, but executed with precision and attention to detail. New parts are housed in three blocks organized in a semi-circle around a node that connects with the existing building. Each block is based on an identical arrangement of two slightly canted cant 1 n. 1. Angular deviation from a vertical or horizontal plane or surface; an inclination or slope. 2. A slanted or oblique surface. 3. a. A thrust or motion that tilts something. office wings enclosing a central atrium, forming a rough A-shape in plan. Conceived as airy, luminous hubs, the glazed atria Atria The heart has four chambers. The right and left atria are at the top of the heart and receive returning blood from the veins. The right and left ventricles are at the bottom of the heart and act as the body's main pumps. contain communications centres for the firm's employees. They also act as buffer zones, providing valuable passive solar energy gains that help offset the building's overall energy consumption. Each of the facades is made up of 2.4m x 2m glass panels (supplied by Okalux) held in place using an elaborate system of planar wires and clamps. Lateral wind loads are taken up by secondary internal tensile nets rigidly connected to the planar assembly by a series of tension and compression rods. Inward movement due to wind loading is taken up by horizontal wires; outward flexing due to wind suction is transmitted to points beneath the roof girders by vertical wires. The roof is enclosed by a pneumatic. Pillow-like structure. Sunshades attached to the exterior are modelled on the rigging of yachts and consist of six sails (some as large as 120sqm) which can be retracted re·tract v. re·tract·ed, re·tract·ing, re·tracts v.tr. 1. To take back; disavow: refused to retract the statement. 2. hydraulically. Sails are unframed and are tensioned by bows that extend the full height of the facade. Extension and retraction In the law of Defamation, a formal recanting of the libelous or slanderous material. Retraction is not a defense to defamation, but under certain circumstances, it is admissible in Mitigation of Damages. Cross-references Libel and Slander. is dictated by climatic conditions, but the building can be shaded even in high winds. The entire assembly has a surprising lightness and delicacy; with their sails unfurled, the office blocks resemble billowing bil·low n. 1. A large wave or swell of water. 2. A great swell, surge, or undulating mass, as of smoke or sound. v. bil·lowed, bil·low·ing, bil·lows v.intr. 1. galleons on the high seas high seas In maritime law, the waters lying outside the territorial waters of any and all states. In the Middle Ages, a number of maritime states asserted sovereignty over large portions of the high seas. . RELATED ARTICLE: Architect Architekturburo Jaschek, Stuttgart |
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