International Case Study:

Kiefer Technic Showroom (Office Building)

Location: Bad Gleichenberg, Austria

Architect: Ernst Giselbrecht + Partner ZT GmbH

Built-up area: 298 m²

Net area: 420 m²
Total floor area: 545 m²
Cubage: 4.270 m³

Project team: DI Peter Fürnschuss

Facade: Kiefer Metallbau GmbH, 8344 Bad Gleichenberg

Project description: Office building and showroom for representative functions and product presentation for a metal
company.
Structural work: brick walls; reinforced concrete floors; steel columns filled with concrete along the facade
Facades: aluminium-glass facade with vorgelagerten Putzstegen respectively facade of upgraded insulation, plastered in
white
Sunscreens: folding elements made of perforated aluminium, electrically driven

Concept of Keifer Technic Showroom:

The building continuously showcases new facades as the day progresses, but also regulates:

 the building’s internal climate in terms of thermal and visual requirements,

 maximizes daylight utilisation and
 24 overall cooling and heating demands of the building.

Plans:
 Ground
Floor Plan

First Floor
Plan

Type of System:

The FAÇADE consist of aluminium posts and transoms with protruding bridges for maintenance, with an EIFS-
facade in white plaster. The sun screen operates on electronic shutters. The shifting façade is powered by 56
engines that activate automated shutters and folding panels of perforated aluminium.
The envelope
consists of
several
layers
including
aluminium
posts and
Exterior
Insulation
and Finish
System
(EIFS)-
façade
transoms
encased in
white plaster.
The building is

characterised as a dynamic building as it comprises of 112 perforated aluminium panels that are electronically
controlled by 54 motors. These movable panels create a changeable shell that transforms the conventional building
appearance from a solid volume to a sparkling and exquisite dynamic configurations [36-38]. Although the façade itself
functions as a shading device, its ability to offer users the alternative to adjust the panel’s angle and amount of
transmitted light to the interior earns it the name ‘user-control dynamic façade’. This is achieved by controlling the
desired number of the noise-free aluminium panels of the façade which could be set on a continuous pattern .
However, there is inadequacy of information to justify that the energy this façade saves while enhancing thermal and
visual comfort in the building, is less than the energy consumed in operating the façade.
Details:
Section through façade:
Building Visual Quality

Adding movement to building façade turned into a kinetic sculpture that continuously present
new faces-infinitely changeable and programmable position patterns.The architect used a
Kifertechin technology in the dynamic façade adding an extra privilege to the showroom by
turning it to an eye catcher advertisement for the services as well as the quality the company is
capable of presenting.