Mesh
panel fencing access control
Luvata - Award-winning project highlights Luvata’s superior bronze wire
A new type of metallic mesh developed from Luvata’s premium
copper bronze wire has been hailed as the “defining theme” of
the award-winning Jewish Centre in Munich, which was officially
opened last month (9 November 2007).
Designed by Saarbrücken architects Wandel Höfer Lorch + Hirsch,
the Jewish Centre was the winning European project of this
year’s Copper in Architecture Awards. The Award judges
commented: “Copper linked to transparency and light is a
defining theme of the Centre and the building’s beauty is
apparent both during the day and at night. This deceptively
simple elegance won the judges over.”
This new application comes from a successful partnership between
world-leading metal fabrication and component manufacturer
Luvata and metal weave experts GKD - Gebr. Kufferath AG. The
mesh forms an eye-catching “glittering skin” covering the
centrepiece of the complex – the synagogue "Ohel Jakob". Werner
Freialdenhoven from GKD added: “We are delighted with the
excellent response to this innovative new use of copper in
architecture. For such a historically important and
architecturally innovative project it was only right that we
partner with the world-leader in copper. Luvata’s heritage and
global reach made it the perfect choice.”
Decorative and functional
The synagogue is a cubic structure of travertine stone, topped
by a glass cube that gives worshippers inside a view of the
heavens. The copper metallic weave surrounding the glass cube is
the first application of its kind and adds both decorative and
functional enhancements.
The eight tonnes of 6.00 mm copper bronze wire was supplied by
Luvata’s Pori plant to Dueren-based metal weaver GKD (Gebr.
Kufferath AG). GKD widened the spirals of the mesh to create the
optical impression of an equilateral triangle. An impression
reinforced by the similarly triangular construction of the glass
façade behind the mesh. The overlapping of the elements creates
an abstract Star of David.
The visual appeal of Luvata’s alloy with is its gold-like
colour, caused by high tin content of between 7.5 and 8.5
percent. As time passes, the bronze will oxidize and lend the
building an aged look, in keeping with its historical
significance. The temple is built near the site of one of 1,000
synagogues that were looted and burned during the "Night of
Broken Glass" (9 November 1938). In commemoration, the new
synagogue was officially opened on the anniversary of this
event.
Norbert Weidehoff, Sales Manager for Luvata’s Pori plant which
supplied the product, commented: “The historical and practical
elements of copper bronze wire were ideally suited for this
project in terms of functionality and visual appeal. Copper
bronze wire and other similar copper products can add
significantly to the design and architectural appeal of a
structure. The new Munich synagogue represents just one example
of its decorative aging elements. Furthermore, the durability,
very low maintenance and recyclability of the woven metal mesh
make it a technically and economically attractive solution.”
Email:
natasha.house@porternovelli.co.uk