To find an innovative concept and appealing appearance for the new antenna reception mast in Leipzig that is over 50 metres high, an invited entry competition was set up, from which our design emerged as the winner. The tower, which has three platforms at heights of 39, 45, and 50 metres, serves to position and operate wave control and surveillance antennas. It supports the largest platform at a height of 39 metres, on a three-chord mast in a Vierendeel form. One of the three chords continues as the main chord to the tip of the mast and supports the two other platforms. This creates the structurally clear tapering silhouette of the tower. From bottom to top, the distance between the struts connecting the three chords
of the mast increases, in response to their loading, from 1.25 to 5.0 metres. Seen in perspective from below, this creates an optical illusion, making the tower seem lower than it actually is. The entire structure is designed in such a way that all parts are dimensioned for the standard galvanising baths and fortransport by road. The chords are welded together with their struts in the works and then bolted together on site to form the sections of the Vierendeel structure, which are then hoisted in into the final position by crane. As the final part of this procedure, a prefabricated 5-metre-high telescoping antenna is placed on the highest platform, which increases the overall height of the mast and the effect it makes.
Since Hall 8/9 is differently and more centrally positioned on the EXPO site than Hall 13, a symmetrical building form was required. The structure of the light fish-belly shaped girders was supplemented by curved grid shells hung between them, functioning primarily as a hanging roof but also developing their shell
effect to handle horizontal and unevenly distributed loads. The character of the hall is shaped by the intensive consideration of three issues – energy, ventilation, and lighting – combined with the construction and the building form. The form of the roof with its hanging shells assists the thermal effect and the natural escape of hot air during the summer. At the highest point there are adjustable ventilation louvres that regulate the flow. A guiding panel above these louvres improves the air flow by means of the Venturi effect, while at the same time protecting the opening from rain. Being south-facing and having the air flow behind them, these building elements offer ideal conditions for photovoltaic modules. The northward roof surfaces are glazed at the steepest and highest part of the hall, which is thus lit entirely by diffused light. The relationship between the distance separating the skylights and the height of the space is about 1.5, which achieves an even daylight quotient of over 10 percent.
The site of the EXPO trade fair hall, with the main east–west avenue of trees in the north and a adjacent low-rise housing development in the south, led to a form for the hall that is dramatically directed towards this avenue. A low height service and storage spine provides the transition to the scale of the housing development in the south. The exposition hall, which measures 105 x 240 metres, is intended to be used for sporting events as well as for exhibitions and there-
fore has to be free of internal columns. So that the hall could be erected in a way that uses resources sparingly despite this requirement, we minimised the structure stepwise with regard to the amount of both material and labour required. In this respect, a cat-enary curve and an arch seemed sensible.
A seven story office building from 1976 – built from precast concrete components (experimental reenforced concrete system SKBS 75) – had to be renovated to accomodate new functions.
Schulitz Architects designed a new interior as well as a new facade with a thermally broken aluminum elements and an exterior sun-shading system.
This residence was built in a neighbourhood of single family houses where extremely restrictive design regulations apply. A pitched roof with red tiles, the attic space ridge height, and the roof slopes were all pre-determined. The basic form of the building with its extensions on both sides is a response to its position at one edge of the development, with a view over a landscape of meadows on a flood plain. This location allows large areas of glazing without any reduction of privacy. The challenge of this commission was to develop a house using a steel construction system in such a way that, while fitting in with the design guidelines, it would still preserve its individuality through the particular type of construction and the way it connects with the landscape.
Prefabrication of the steel construction system made a rapid construction process possible and resulted in an open, permeable quality that can be experienced in all parts of the home: carport, house proper, and terrace pergola.
As the result of a change made in the street alignment, the development of this site represented an impossible challenge for more than 30 years. The unusual shape of the site, a double triangle, led to formal and legal hurdles that could only be overcome by employing innovation. Ultimately the success of the building is based on an expressive form that exploits a generally unfavourable situation. Thanks to the careful selection of materials, the building engages in a dialogue with the surrounding buildings and green spaces. The rectangular bays of the ventilated, hung ceramic tile façade along the street on the north side reflect the neighbouring brick buildings and the high-rise buildings opposite. The glass façades looking towards the green areas on the south and west are a response to the requirements of working and living. A long slab facing the street completes the urban block. Instead of negating the surroundings, the modern materials and the form of the building harmonise with the urban context. This building won awards not only for its modern steel construction but also for its excellent urban renewal qualities.
For a building containing high-technology, a light construction with a minimal use of material was chosen over traditional or monumental techniques. Despite the differences in room height requirements of 11 m for the machine hall and 3.75 m for the laboratories, an overall cubical structure with one consistant but variable facade system was planned.
The houses, which were designed using the T.E.S.T method demonstrate that the direct application of standard, prefabricated industrial
parts can lead to a high quality that appeals to higher income groups, such as the families of a film director and a project manager. The
houses are both complete with their own respective living areas, service areas and sleeping areas. They are connected in the middle by an
outdoor stairwell and landings at each level.
The plot is a long and skinny piece of land at the foot of the Santa Monica Mountains. The upper floors of the houses offer an outstanding
panoramic view from downtown Los Angeles to the Pacific Ocean.
The client, a director of a research institute, desired a spacious interior, which was required by needs of his family and by the occasional receptions that he hosted for national and international scientists. The main living area, kitchen and master bedroom are located on the main floor, while the children’s rooms are in the large cellar, opposite the efficient service area.
The building was orientated, according to the site, in a north-south axis. A central hallway rises to form a clerestory that bisects two shed roofs. Both the overhead skylight and the generous glazing of the facades allow the inner spaces of the house to have an especially cheerful and light character. The structural work, a wood and steel skeleton, was carried out with minimal materials, adding to the light character of the house.
The house is the first prototype of the experimental building system T.E.S.T., a system which maximizes the use of pre-finished industrial components available straight from the manufacturer‘s catalogues. The cliffside property in Beverly Hills had a slope of 40° and was considered unbuildable, making it easy to acquire. One enters the house through the top floor (kitchen and dining room) and “climbs” down to the main living area, with it’s large terrace. The lowest floor holds the work and hobby rooms.
The skeleton structure makes it possible so that not all spaces must be load-bearing. The large terraces act as giant air conditioners, using the natural breezes to cool the house. The system forms a type of collage architecture, an architecture the propagates an inexpensive and direct use of the difficult unity of divergent parts rather than the easy unity of integrated designed ones.
