BT-Spannschloss®

The area between Sudenburger Wuhne and the railway line in the north of Magdeburg (Germany) has all the characteristics associated with the term "industrial estate": a place of diversity with huge storage areas and business premises of various companies. With the new office building of BT innovation, however, the client had some certain requirements for the external appearance of the building: a compact, U-shaped structure, naturally made of precast concrete elements, which are connected with the BT-Spannschloss®. Close to a warehouse and a development building, the new BT office operates as the brain of the company. From this position, our main input is working on new developments and patents for the company. Thus, an external cladding was developed that is not really symmetrical at any point, does not repeat a strict rhythm and yet conveys a self-assured calm. The asymmetrical bay windows convey dynamism, but above all are intended to encourage people to sit in them temporarily, to change posture, to let gaze and thoughts wander. A free division of the office layout of the interior ensures a right balance between openings that allow sufficient daylight for office work and closed areas that protect against summer overheating and at the same time provide good thermal insulation. The precast elements were put out to tender without any special requirements for the concrete surface. By sanding the surfaces and applying a subsequent colourless coating, however, a lively surface with its own aesthetic quality was achieved. The innovations in this building are almost invisible. Only a few open connections show that the precast elements are held together with the BT-Spannschloss®, a simple method of assembly developed by BT innovation that does not require mortar. BT-developed joint tapes ensure the tightness of the element joints. In theory, it would be possible to dismantle the building without damaging it. In addition, the glass fibre reinforced ThermoPin® securing anchors connect the load-bearing core of the exterior layer with the exterior facing layer. This prevents thermal bridging that would occur with using stainless steel anchors. The building is heated and cooled by geothermal heat pumps. For this purpose, eight geothermal probes were installed in a depth of 112 m. The climatic system in the solid ceiling provides a pleasant room climate.