Nature conceals solutions of the highest quality. This was the approach taken by Munich-based architects HENN when designing the interior of a modern concert hall in a German town. The concert hall in Weikersheim surprises with its warmth, simplicity and ear- and soul-soothing acoustics.
To get a good idea of the quality of the interiors and acoustics in this edifice, we need to go back in time. Weikersheim is a small town in Germany, but with a great history. The first mention of this imperial estate dates back to 837. Today, it is known throughout the country as one of the most recognisable concert and music venues. It was on its outskirts that the modern body of the Tauberphilharmonie was built. The building’s austere, straightforward exterior conceals a warm, friendly interior full of wood.
Imperial sound quality thanks to acoustic panels on the ceiling and walls
The brief of Munich-based architects HENN was simple: to combine opposites. The sharp-edged volume of the building contrasts with the soft landscape of the surrounding green hills. And the large interior spaces, contrary to logic, do not overwhelm the users with excessive reverberations of reflected sounds. They succeeded in planning the acoustics to a regal level, although finding suitable acoustic materials was not obvious.
The architects wanted to bring naturalness into the interiors. – The atmosphere we seek as architects must be created conceptually. In a concert hall, the atmosphere can be controlled with light and different materials. In such an environment, wood simply works perfectly. It radiates warmth, has life in it and is pleasant to the touch, which plays a role in the way it is perceived by the viewer, even if it cannot be touched,” says Peter Bäuml, Partner at the HENN studio, about the beginnings of the project. Knauf Ceiling Solutions had the answer to combining all these requirements. Its Wood Design panel solutions brought to the market through a partnership with Knauf Design allowed the architects to combine all these requirements.
Of course, it is not possible to achieve the top-notch acoustics required in concert halls with interior materials alone. For this reason, concrete with a special mass was used at the construction stage itself to help reduce noise. Enclosed on three sides by a dark façade, the silhouette of the two volumes conceals not only the concert hall, but also rehearsal rooms, conference rooms, a huge, glass-enclosed foyer and a café.
In all the rooms, however, the leitmotif is the warmth of wood. This is a reference to the emotion the architects had in mind from the start, but also to the musical instruments themselves – after all, they are mostly made of wood. The natural shade, the calm texture of the wooden panels and the uniformity of the interior mean that listeners are not distracted during musical events, and can sink into the music.
Acoustic wall cladding offered in Poland by Knauf Ceiling Solutions. Real wood veneer – functionality and design in one, concert hall of the Tauber Philharmonie in the German town of Weikersheim:
All this was made possible by panels that are the work of Knauf Design and the latest addition to the Knauf Ceiling Solutions product range called Wood Design. The only decorative elements that break up the repetition of the surface are the light points. On the ceiling they are round, like shining stars in a dark sky. Along the edges of the staircase and the folds on the walls, the lighting was planned as a series of bright led lines.
The bright light lines bring out the colour and texture of the wooden, acoustic wall cladding:
The effect is not an illusion of nature. The acoustic panels are made of gypsum-fibre and covered with a surface veneered with natural wood. To enhance the acoustic friendliness, the manufacturer offers the possibility of special perforations in the boards. There are as many as six types. The size and number of perforations can also be a design element, depending on the designers’ visual concept.
The philharmonic building also contains other elements that make it part of the ecological trend. Part of the building’s total energy requirement is covered by natural sources – geothermal probes located near the banks of the Tauber River adjacent to the building. Depending on the season, they extract heat or cold from the groundwater. The foyer uses natural stone – shell limestone sourced from local quarries.
Non-flammability important for public buildings
For buildings that are accessible to a wide range of people such as cultural and medical facilities, universities, hotels and office buildings, the safety of the space is an extremely important criterion in addition to design. Restrictive building regulations apply to fire safety requirements, for example. Not all manufacturers are able to meet such stringent requirements.
– This is a problem for interior designers. When choosing solutions in terms of design, they cannot always ultimately recommend a product. It may look beautiful but not meet the regulations,” admits Alicja Koziej, Technical Manager at Knauf Ceiling Solutions.
– At Knauf Design, we chose gypsum fibre as the primary material for our product range. Stability, exceptional fire resistance and a wide range of surface design options create a solution that integrates both safety and aesthetics, explains Andreas Wilhelm, Managing Director of Knauf Design. The boards in the Designboard Wood family allow for interesting visual effects while meeting the requirements for non-combustibility, which is characterised by their reaction to fire: the non-combustibility of DESIGNBOARD 230 Wood is classified as A2-s1,d0. The designer can choose from three colours: oak, ash and dark American walnut.
Looking at the interiors of the Tauberphilharmonie, one gets the feeling that the era of the return to building with wood is indeed over the threshold, and that the wooden skyscrapers announced in the media are real plans in architecture, not futurology.
photos: Stefan Ernst for Knauf
source: Knauf(https://knauf.com)
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