Voest Alpine AG, Linz
HARD FACTS
Expanded metal made of steel – galvanised and powder-coated, special edition type “Feldkirch”
Use
Façade, electric and horizontal swivel sun protection slats
Location
Sales and finance centre of Voest Alpine AG, 4031 Linz
2009
Feichtinger architects, Paris/Vienna
Alu Sommer, Stoob
Floor-high panels made of expanded metal – with a golden gleam on the outside – and providing shade on the inside for the employees of Austria’s no. 1 steel group
A STEEL GROUP SHOWS WHAT IT IS CAPABLE OF
The planners Feichtinger Architects transform Austria’s biggest steel group voestalpine Stahl GmbH’s sales and finance centre in Linz on 15,771 m2.
The impressive, protruding front roof symbolises the modern, innovative and efficient company’s industrial, ambitious requirements. The curved, gold-shimmering façade made of galvanised steel and powder-coated expanded metal is divided into floor-to-ceiling panels and floor-to-ceiling fixed glazed elements and allows for various office sizes according to the respective usage requirements. The movable shading elements are made of frameless expanded metal on the façade’s outside and textile glare protection on the façade’s inside and create pleasant light conditions. At night, lit from the square, the front roof’s spectacular surface appears inviting and attracts visitors.
EXPANDED METALS – practical and elegant
Expanded metals and expanded grates are made of a single piece of metal to ensure there are no strands causing wear and tear and no weighed-down connections or welding seams. As a result, the sustainable, robust material exhibits significant strength and surface stability which makes it ideal for use in façade design. Various materials can be used, the mesh is generally diagonal, hexagonal, round or square, neither twisted nor welded. Depending on the type, various effects are possible. The material retains its inner stability even when it is cut. Due to their 3-dimensional character, façades made of expanded metal turn into “eye catchers”.