ROCKPANEL facade in harmony with nature
Two modern buildings commissioned by a family business manufacturing high-quality stoves, fireplaces, heating and boiler systems have been given a ROCKPANEL façade that provides a unique look perfectly complementing its surroundings and the nature of the business.
The new facility was required following an expansion of the Brunner family business based in Eggenfelden, Germany. Local architect Prof. Markus Frank designed two modern buildings, which display innovative and distinctive craftsmanship both inside and out. The extraordinary façade ties in well with the future-oriented nature of the Brunner business.
As flexible as wood and stylish as Corten steel
The building has a warm and natural appearance. It was crucial that the cladding did not interfere with the clear style of the building or exceed the overall budget. Corten steel and larch shingles were also considered as cladding materials. The objective was to have homogenous surfaces with a ‘unique character’ using affordable building materials. Architect Prof. Markus Frank came up with a number of different solutions: “For the façade, we were thinking of wood or rusting iron tones,” he explained. “Stacked wood is after all an integral part of Brunner products. Building materials are only truly organic if they are compatible with their surroundings and prevailing climate. Like with classic wooden façades, there should be a certain weathering effect.”
Purist, natural, unique and robust
Prof. Frank found the perfect solution with ROCKPANEL Natural. The look of these robust basalt panels is matured by sunlight and natural weathering. Just as wood weathers and changes hue, the initial yellow-green colour of the uncoated boards darkens after about six weeks, resulting in a particularly natural and unique façade.
Easy to work with as wood
“In total, we installed over 6,268 m² of 10 mm ROCKPANEL Natural boards,” explained Ralf Mangertseder, Managing Director of Mangertseder Zimmerei & Holzbau GmbH. “And we were very impressed with the user-friendliness of the materials, especially when it came to cutting the boards for the heating technology building. Even though the panels are made of basalt and are therefore very strong, they are as easy to work with as wood, plus the same tools can be used.
“The material is self-coloured and insensitive to moisture, so neither the surfaces nor the cut edges or drill holes had to be touched up or sealed. All the panels were easily attached using toning screws.” He and his team were so pleased with ROCKPANEL cladding materials that they want to continue working with them as much as possible in future. “It would not have been possible, or at least would have involved significantly more effort, to execute the complex installation plan for the office building using any other product.”
Ulrich Brunner is very happy with the result: “We value individuality and have a very unique corporate culture in every respect. That is why we took the time to develop a very distinct and minimalist façade to showcase our beautiful offices and showrooms. The building is impressive without being pompous – that is how we wanted it and that is how it is perceived by our guests.”
Ends
Article supplied by:
ROCKWOOL Ltd / ROCKPANEL Group
Tel: 01656 863210
Email: info@rockpanel.co.uk
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