Shadoglass louvre, natural ventilation and glazing
When the Volkswagen Audi Group (VAG) embarked on an ambitious project to build a new multi-media Auto City (Autostadt) at their Wolfsburg facility, the company was keen to portray an image that was open and customer-oriented. This led to the specification of a predominately glazed façade. VAG turned to Colt to provide an innovative solar shading system, smoke ventilation and daylighting.
The Auto City occupies a 25-hectare site between Berlin and Hanover and is an adventure centre - the only such project of its kind worldwide. Visitors can experience a wide variety of attractions related to cars and mobility, with an emphasis on four core principles: safety, quality, social competence and environmental awareness. The state of the art buildings include a pavilion for each of the brands manufactured under the Group umbrella: VW, Audi, Lamborghini, Bentley, Rolls Royce, Seat and Skoda.
In order to help create an image that was open and welcoming the project's architect (Henn Architects Munich) used glass façades, rooflights, glass towers and open entrance ways. At the Customer Centre in the East of the City, Colt 's Shadoglass system was specified, with in excess of 100 glass louvres fitted to the round structure of the building. Installed on the façade, the louvres are designed to track the rays of the sun providing solar protection whilst maximising daylight entry and climate optimisation. By absorbing and reflecting the sun's rays, Shadoglass louvres are able to reduce the burden placed upon ventilation and air conditioning systems. In the winter months the louvres are positioned to maximise passive solar energy resulting in reduced heating costs. The sun tracking automatic louvre control maximises daylight levels in the building and at the same time reduces the need for artificial lighting.
Safety was also a key priority and Colt designed a natural smoke ventilation scheme. Glazed flap ventilators are controlled by air pressure so that in the event of a fire all units can be opened. Additionally, as well as being able to provide effective smoke ventilation, the dual purpose system is also being used as a natural day-to-day ventilation scheme.
Colt also installed a Cosmotron rooflight system, enabling work areas, foyers, entrance halls and eating places to benefit from natural daylight.
