Halle 01 Niederstetten

Project description

Restrained in form, refined in detail:

Flight hall with sustainable facade panels

As of 2011 several Bundeswehr airfields were closed, the Niederstetten airfield in South Eastern Baden-Württemberg could be saved from a similar fate. Instead, the decision was made to extensively refurbish the airport hangars, including Hall 01, which is now used as a storage facility for the NH90 helicopter.

Commissioned by the State Building Authority Schwäbisch Hall, Ecker Architekten designed a structure that is restrained with its clear cubature, but is still an eye-catcher: The building shell made of anthracite-colored facade panels EQUITONE [natura] is reminiscent of a camouflage net in a military camouflage pattern and extends over all four building sides. Their unique production subtly shows the raw structure of the fibre cement material, giving the facade a natural, lively appearance. Diagonal panel joints support the dynamic appearance and continue across the corner, emphasizing the physical volume of the building. As a result, the hall looks more like an architectural sculpture than an industrial storage facility. The seemingly monolithic block is only interrupted by a deep cut in the structure. Clad in large-format, horizontal facade panels EQUITONE [natura] in white, the set-back entrance area is illuminated without disturbing the harmonious image of the otherwise dark facade appearance.

The curtain-type, rear-ventilated facade (VHF) made of sustainable facade panels could be developed with a waste of only 1.6%. As a decomposable and reusable system, it not only relieves the environment, but also meets high thermal requirements in order to protect the sensitive storage goods from minimal fluctuations in humidity and temperature.