Automated glass slats combine appearance and functionality
 
Pößneck, in August 2007 – Walter Knoll AG ranks among the leading manufacturers of upholstered furniture and up-market furnishings. An extensive conversion of the company premises in Herrenberg near Stuttgart was concluded recently: A modern glass construction which functions as a showroom is now to be found next to the historic brick complex from 1937. This new glass cube is designed as a form of showcase, presenting furniture to the general public. A major challenge was the sun protection for the south façade, where the architects had to overcome two problematic aspects: The sun protection had to prevent the interior rooms becoming too hot and, at the same time, the façade had to be transparent so as to ensure the true colors of the furniture upholstery were visible from outside the showroom.
 

 
Furniture in true color and pleasant temperatures
 
The solution to this challenge is an intelligent sun protection system. Slats made of glass ensure the furniture appears in its true colors – and at the same time contribute to heat insulation as these are always oriented to the position of the sun. The technology for this was supplied by elero Linearantriebstechnik: Depending on the amount of solar radiation special linear actuators bring the slats into the correct position so as to reduce the high temperatures in front of the façade.
 

 
The intermediary between the sun and the drive is an integrated weather station. A signal from this station ensures that the glass slats are brought into precisely the right position. 24 linear actuators of the type Econom 0, each with a force of 3,000 Newtons, move the slats right down to the millimeter. It was not only the precision of the Econom which the site management found so convincing: Thanks to their stainless steel housing they are weather-resistant and virtually maintenance-free – decisive features for use outdoors. Perhaps even more important: With their slender design the drives may be integrated inconspicuously into facades with a sophisticated architecture. In addition the electric push rod actuators from elero Linearantriebstechnik have a constant hub speed and a mechanical self-locking mechanism.
 

 
With the aid of this ingenious technology the planners for the Walter Knoll building found a solution with which functionality is not attained at the expense of appearance.
 

 
The new glass cube at Walter Knoll AG presents furniture to the general public. Photo: H.G. Esch
 

 
24 Econom drives move the glass slats in line with the position of the sun and thus contribute to an optimum atmosphere indoors. Photo: H.G. Esch
 

 
The south façade is exposed to a high degree of solar radiation. Flexible slats guarantee optimum protection against heat. Photo: H.G. Esch