Salzgitter High School – Innovative textile facade

Innovative textile facade for a modern school building

Hillebrandt carried out comprehensive renovation work on the facade of the auditorium at the Gymnasium am Fredenberg secondary school in Salzgitter. The focus was on the development, manufacture, and installation of a high-quality textile facade, including the complete substructure. The project combines technical precision, structural engineering expertise, and architectural design to create a harmonious overall appearance.

Project description

Since the originally planned attachment of the fabric facade to the existing walls was not structurally feasible, Hillebrandt developed a customized support solution. The structural challenge required a completely new solution.

Three horizontal circumferential support profiles made of HEB220 form the stable backbone of the substructure. These are connected to the concrete pillars via support profiles made of rectangular hollow sections and brackets in the main axes of the building. 108 frame elements, each measuring approximately 1.20 × 8.50 m, were suspended in the support profiles. The frames are made of hollow steel profiles, hot-dip galvanized and powder-coated, and covered with Soltis FT 381 PVC fabric from Serge Ferrari. Six different frame types with different folds create a lively facade and give the auditorium a modern, sculptural appearance.

Between the frame elements, 3 mm aluminum soffit panels conceal the gaps between the individual elements. The lower facade edge was finished with suspended gratings, while the upper edge was finished with an aluminum sheet parapet. Precise recesses were provided in the area of the entrances, emergency exits, and stage entrance and framed with sheet metal cladding.

Data / facts

Client:

City of Salzgitter

Architect:

J d/b/d, Salzgitter

Construction period:

2023–2025

Facade area:

Approx. 1,160 m²

Special features:

The project includes the complete planning and implementation of the structural analysis, work and assembly planning, as well as the subsequent production and assembly. Attic cladding will also be installed as part of the work. A pigeon protection net will be installed above the technical area to provide permanent protection for the system and ensure its functionality.

The following were used:

108 frames measuring 1.20 x 8.50 m, construction: approx. 83 tons of steel, including 35 tons of steel substructure

Statement

“The project in Salzgitter demonstrates what sets us apart: technical expertise, precise planning, and clean implementation. The specially developed supporting structure was challenging—the result is a modern textile facade that perfectly combines function and design.”

Contact

I would be happy to help you with the individual realisation of textile facades.
Just send me a brief message or call me.

Theo Hillebrandt

Phone:

+49 25 71 / 95 38-10