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| The headquarters of debis AG | debis Haus am Potsdamer Platz |
A typical European-style high rise | |
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A magnum structure in Daimler City The Debis Haus is the largest building in Daimler City, which is at the center of the redevelopment project in Potsdamer Platz together with the Sony Center. The plan was designed by Renzo Piano who won first prize in the competition for the Daimler City development project, held in 1992. According to the Piano plan, the ground level is set back to provide an arcade-like space. Most of the outer walls are covered with khaki terracotta. Atrium, double skin, and ecological facilities The high-rise building is full of ample ecological considerations. When we look at the ground plan, we find that the huge atrium in the center reduces the size of the official spaces, but the consumption of both lighting and ventilating is lowered. Furthermore, the double skin design provided on the western and southern parts of the building allows natural ventilation and easy adjustment of sunlight. The tower has a panel cooling system on the ceiling, using cold water with the temperature of 18°C. A 70 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emission is realized by this urban intensive co-generation system, while achieving a 20,000 cubic meter reduction of the drinking water supply by using rainwater for watering the gardens and flushing the toilets. Glazing of the debis Haus The outer facade is composed of laminated glass (6mm+6mm;1330 X 520mm) piles like lap sidings. One layer has eight sections, seven of which are sensor-controlled and can be opened to an angle of 70°. A sensor and a spindle motor control the action. The remaining glass panel can be opened for cleaning purposes. The inner part of the fa_ade are fitted with sashes with double glazing which can be opened and closed manually. What's more, between the terracotta panels and inner facades, there are built-in window shades of the same color, as an added protection against the sun. This structure generates greenhouse effects in the winter and a discharge of hot air in the summer. Finally, the builders achieved natural ventilation at about 60 % of a year, even under strong winds. The mechanical system begins to operate only when the mercury drops below 5 °C or exceeds 20°C. During the summer nights, the glass-louvers open automatically in an effort to cool down the entire building. Atrium introduces a gentle environment The Atrium (14 x 82 x 33m) characterizes the head office of the Debis company and is open to the public. The Atrium seems to have a city inside, along with natural elements such as light and winds. The sunlight, however, is softened by the double glass-louvers under the tog-lights, which are pasted with ceramic prints. The outside air is directed downward by the louvers, which open or close as needed. | ||||||
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Data of this building | |||||||
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