Architecture in dialogue with nature

fischer long anchor bolts and screws secure the visitor and information center of the Black Forest National Park

Architecture in dialogue with nature
References
Fitting to the environment, the staggered stacked building parts resemble overlapping tree trunks. In addition to the arrangement, this association is evoked by the shaping of the building bodies and their facade cladding made of regional spruce. A total of 90 percent of the wood used for construction and design comes from sustainable forestry in the local Black Forest. With its appearance, the sculptural architecture skillfully blends into the overall picture of its surroundings. The building's sustainability is also in harmony with nature. It features thermal insulation according to passive house standards. Heating with wood pellets, the photovoltaic system, and rainwater use for management also protect nature. The new building will be certified silver quality according to the Federal Sustainable Building Assessment System (BNB). The lead architectural firm is Sturm and Wartzeck from Dipperz/Hesse. Additionally, the structural engineers Schlaich, Bergermann and Partner from Stuttgart, EWT Engineers from Grebenhain for the technical building equipment, and the office “[f] landscape architecture” from Bonn are part of the working group “Nationalpark Schwarzwald.” The client is the state of Baden-Württemberg, represented by the State Enterprise for Property and Construction Baden-Württemberg.

Property Profile

Executing Company
Holzbau Schaible GmbH from Wildberg
Sustainability
90% of the wood for the construction comes from sustainable forestry
Wood Construction Area
3,000 sq m
The timber construction houses leisure facilities and opportunities for environmental education related to the national park on approximately 3,000 square meters. These include exhibitions, a cinema, gastronomy, and event rooms, as well as the "Skywalk," a walkway at the height of the treetops leading to an observation tower. Both facilities offer a wide view of the tree canopy. In addition, there is a 700 square meter administrative building.
At building sections E and F, the timber substructure for the facade surface is securely and firmly fastened to the concrete with fischer long-shaft dowels SXR. A version with a 10 mm diameter and 200 mm dowel length was chosen. The T variant used, with countersunk screw, is ideal for fastening timber constructions. So far, around 2,000 dowels have been used. Additionally, the fischer chipboard screws Power-Fast FPF-ST 6.0 x 180 A2P 100 are installed for screwing the timber substructure. The partial-thread screws with countersunk head are made of stainless steel A2 for outdoor fixtures. The quantity used so far is 6,000. The executing company is Holzbau Schaible GmbH from Wildberg.
With the SXR long-shank anchors, we offer powerful and at the same time economical solutions for transmitting medium loads in concrete and masonry.
Matthias Hartmann (Application Technician)
With their long shaft, the anchors attach facade and roof substructures made of wood or metal as well as other fittings directly to the anchoring base. The plastic sleeves made of high-performance nylon feature various expansion elements that behave appropriately in both solid and hollow building materials.
The European Technical Assessment (ETA) provides security and regulates the application as multiple fastening for non-load-bearing systems for anchoring in concrete and masonry. The long shaft anchor is conveniently installed by push-through mounting and, thanks to the shallow anchoring depth of 50 mm, no deep drill hole needs to be made.  
The ETA confirms that the Power-Fast screws made of stainless steel withstand direct weathering with the classification in use class 3 according to Eurocode 5. EC5 regulates, among other things, the suitability and application of wooden components under different climatic conditions after installation and serves to provide proof of stability with the correct load-bearing capacity. Fischer also supported the clients in planning and designing the fastening solutions using the „FIXPERIENCE“ software family. The WOOD-FIX module was applied for calculating wooden connections and the FACADE-FIX module for the design of the anchoring of the facade substructure. 
Thus, the national park will soon welcome its visitors with a modern foyer that is both inviting and safe. Up to 100,000 guests from around the world are expected annually.
The fischer products used

The fischer products used

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