MaTERIaL + ExpERIMENT - Renolit

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RENOLIT on a journey into architecture
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MaTERIaL + ExpERIMENT
a student design competition

Dear readers,
In the present age of global communications
and all-pervasive networking, keeping
abreast of the latest developments is an easy
matter. Countless blogs and forums on the
internet, more recently supplemented by
mobile solutions via smartphone, enable a
direct dialogue with architects and designers
without having to leave one‘s own four walls.
A world of lively discussion is out there and
on tap in the palm of our hands.
Yet as we look back over more than a year
on our journey into the world of architecture,
we remain firmly convinced that technical
progress will never provide a substitute
for direct encounters with architects and
designers. Time and again, we have come to
appreciate the merits of authentic dialogue.
Creative discussion and brainstorming work
best eye-to-eye with other individuals in a
pleasant and stimulating atmosphere. It is
well known that an appropriate setting can
be highly advantageous in this context.
The renaissance of salon culture is a case
in point, with galleries, museums and
even bookshops increasingly providing
areas dedicated to promoting effective
communication. RENOLIT set out to design
such a setting in cooperation with students
at the PBSA-FHD (Peter Behrens School of
Architecture Düsseldorf). The participants
examined film and its architectural potential
in the context of a student competition
under the banner “Material + Experiment“.
After acquiring a theoretical grounding, they
went on to evolve concepts for the design
of a ceiling at a special location: the bar of
the AIT ArchitekturSalon in Cologne, which
has become a favourite meeting place for
designers, architects and interior designers.
In addition to the prize money on offer, the
competition also held out the prospect of
the winning entry actually being turned into
reality. The participants boldly took up the
challenge of developing a facelift concept on
a design level and marrying this with all the
other aspects involved, such as the attendant
construction or room acoustics. We were
delighted by the wealth of innovative
solutions and were surprised once again by
the creative approach demonstrated with our
products.
The official opening of the new bar will tie
in with the opening of Passagen 2013 at
the Cologne AIT ArchitekturSalon on 14
January. We would be delighted to welcome
you to this event, where you will also have
an opportunity to visit our AIT exhibition
module.
We hope you will enjoy reading this issue of
Colour Road.
Yours,
Pierre Winant
Executive Board Member, RENOLIT SE

“Material + Experiment“ competition
The bar of the AIT ArchitekturSalon in
the former 4711 factory in Cologne has
evolved into a special meeting place in
the architecture and design scene. In the
last term at the PBSA-FHD (Peter Behrens
School of Architecture) in Düsseldorf, Prof.
Dierk van den Hövel set students the task of
providing this location with a facelift. The
corresponding designs were to be realised by
the start of imm cologne and the Passagen
event in January 2013. Transforming the
existing premises into a setting conducive to
effective communication posed a considerable
challenge: While developing a new room
scenario and an appropriate spatial sculpture,
it was also crucial to accord due consideration
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to one of the room‘s key functions as an
exhibition and presentation environment for
diverse building products. This meant that,
rather than competing with the exhibits for
the spotlight, the facelift was to create an
atmospheric setting conducive to presenting
the exhibits to best effect.
The project by the name of “Material +
Experiment“ sought to promote creative
ideas based on the prescribed use of film
as the key material. The aim was to explore
applications for film materials – be they
thermoformable, weavable, stretchable,
translucent, as surfacings or coverings for
floors, walls or ceilings – beyond their actual
designated purpose, to sound out their
interior design potential and to examine how
their established scope of use can be modified
and broadened.
The starting point
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1st prize
TRIbaR
MAx GRüTERInG | nORMAn KAMP
Our design is based on an extensive
polygonal object. In the original planning
the installation took up the entire available
space, but in the course of the design process
it was deliberately reduced to the previously
undecorated ceiling and the end wall. In
this way, we have avoided compromising
the AIT ArchitekturSalon‘s actual function
of presenting products from various
manufacturers. The installation enhances the
location by creating a new feeling of space,
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both in daily use and at evening functions.
We have chosen a light, white and translucent
material to avoid our installation vying for
attention with the exhibited products. The
construction consists of profiled frame
elements, each of which holds a translucent
stretch ceiling film.
Far from being at odds with the vast spatial
effect which we achieved with the film, its
simple handling was a great help to us in
realising our design.
Interior perspective
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Design principles and details
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Interior perspectives Interior perspectives
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2nd prize
aRchITEkTuRSaLON
LARISSA KARDuCK | JuLIAnE BODDEnBERG | SuSAnnE SCHRöDER
The basic idea behind our design for the AIT
ArchitekturSalon arose from the prescribed
use of film as a material and the given spatial
situation. It was important to us that our
design should not compete for attention with
the exhibited objects, rather showcasing the
latter as a suitably discreet installation.
The room‘s long shape provided the starting
point for our design. In view of the continually
changing exhibitions and events in the AIT
ArchitekturSalon, we decided to feature only
the ceiling and the rear wall. The 30 centimetre
wide strips of film offset the room‘s austere
character by creating undulating structures.
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The light/shade contrasts emanating from
the translucent film guide the visitor through
the room and appear to taper out at the
illuminated bar.
The construction consists of horizonwtal steel
cables attached to the walls which end at a
distance from the wall at the front end, with
the strips of film weaving their way through
the cables. The resultant space can be used
to accommodate refrigerators or similar
facilities.
The arrangement of the film strips is variable
and diverse wave motions can be attained by
pulling at different points.
Interior perspective
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Section
Design detail Design principle, woven strips Different moods at various times of the day and night
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3rd prize
FRaGMENTS
MAHA DIAB | LIAnG YuERAn | ISABEL ALTHAuS
With our installation we seek to visualise the
visitor in the room, thereby making visitors a
part of the whole. As a result of abstraction in
the form of a honeycomb pattern, the visitors
become part of the exhibition. The black
honeycombs show the visitor, while the white
honeycombs form the space between visitor
and exhibition. The pattern and the abstract
visitors become more concentrated at the
rear of the room, where the bar is situated,
as this area is intended for socialising. After
viewing the exhibition or attending talks, this
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provides a convivial setting in which to meet
up and engage in conversation.
The honeycomb structure flows through the
room like a river, culminating at the bar in
the rear area of the room. In order to avoid
imposing on the exhibition area, the main
part of the installation is on the ceiling,
slowly descending at the rear end and
taking in the bar area. Indirectly illuminating
the honeycombs provides the room with
a pleasant atmosphere and brings out the
structure of the visitors to even better effect.
Interior perspective
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Sectional view
Different degrees of abstraction in the design process Ceiling panel
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Special prize for outdoor area
FEEL ThE LIGhT
SAnTAnA SCHüTTE | CHRISTInA nIEßEn
The different films are suspended from the
ceiling and along the walls, keeping the
exhibition centre-stage. The visitor can stroll
through this multi-faceted, transparent world,
taking in each film at close quarters.
Our design presents four different patterns
/ graphics from the respective locations of
the AIT ArchitekturSalon – Cologne, Munich,
Hamburg and Stuttgart. Each graphic breaks
down into five elements and features twice
on a wall. The elements can be slid into one
another, enabling the room to be decorated
as required. At the front end we have merged
the four locations together by combining
parts of the different graphics. The films are
suspended from a simple rail system, such as
is typically employed for panel curtains
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Interior perspective
View
Logos of the AIT ArchitekturSalons
Abstracted logos of the salons
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Sonderpreis Material
IN ThE FRaME
MARInA VASILKOVSKI | DARJA ZIMMERMAnn
The AIT ArchitekturSalon serves as a
communication and networking centre
for a broad public. It provides architects,
designers and companies with a meeting
place where they can discuss exhibitions,
talks and events. Against this background,
we have developed the networking concept
in textile form. Translucent ceiling film
is suspended from the ceiling in frames,
creating a plane which renders the light
more diffuse. Additional frames in a second
plane consisting of knitted together scraps
of film overlap the translucent ceiling film
and create highlights.
The installation covers the ceiling, extending
fluidly in knitted form over the front wall
and down to the floor. This results in a
suitably restrained installation which leaves
sufficient space for the exhibitors. The black
bar remains strikingly plain in contrast to
the light knitted wall behind.
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Mock-up film carpet
Plan view
Weave pattern Bar model
Interior perspective
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STRETch cEILING FILM
Text: Dr. Wolfgang Eiser, RENOLIT SE, Head of Corporate Raw Materials and Regulatory Affairs
Flexible pVc film is the all-rounder among plastic films. a diverse range of properties are readily obtainable without interfering with the
formulation to any great extent, from high-quality aesthetic options to flexibility and extensibility, for example. as the name suggests,
pVc stretch ceiling films lend themselves to stretch-fitting. In addition to their extensibility, they also require a certain degree of strength
and a firm and impervious weld. as the width of a film is limited, welded seams are necessary in order to cover large surface areas. highfrequency
technology enables invisible seams to be obtained without the use of additives.
The thickness of a stretch ceiling film is in the
order of 0.17 millimetres, while a film width of
1,800 – 2,000 millimetres is common. Stretch
ceiling films come in all colours, and they may
be highly opaque or translucent. A special
variant is high-gloss film. Matt finishes are
equally available. The most extreme precision
is required in the production process, as even
the most minor soiling will impair the perfect
surface finish.
Stretch ceiling films are designed for interior
applications. The formulation ensures a hard-
wearing product, whereby the actual durability
is dependent on the locally prevailing
conditions. use in swimming baths imposes
different requirements to installation in
showrooms. The clip system enables swift,
cost-effective and straightforward replacement,
where necessary. Film may require replacing
for various reasons. Stretch ceiling films are
often used to conceal unsightly ceilings on
which pipes and cabling are installed, for
example. In order to access such components,
removal and subsequent refitting of the film
poses no problem whatsoever.
Like all plastics, PVC is flammable. In
comparison to polyethylene or polypropylene,
for example, it has an advantage in this
respect: The chlorine which is firmly
incorporated in the PVC matrix has a flameretardant
effect which is highly beneficial for
fire protection purposes. While other plastics
require a complex balancing act in order to
attain flame resistance, PVC gets by with only
a small number of additives. A special flameretardant
plasticiser is added to stretch ceiling
film in order to meet the requirements of fire
protection standards B1 and B2.
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Defined standards ensure lasting quality and
safety for stretch ceiling film. Standard En
14716 stipulates the characteristics,
requirements and test methods for stretch
ceiling film. Basic requirements relate to fire
behaviour, the release of hazardous substances,
mechanical strength and specifications for the
fastening system. On successful completion of
the test procedure, the film is awarded a
corresponding CE marking.
Fire behaviour is assessed in the so-called
Single Burning Item test (SBI test) in accordance
with En 13823, in which the stretch ceiling
film‘s potential contribution to a developing
fire is evaluated. The result of the fire test is
classified and graded by reference to En 13501-
1. Factors of relevance to classification of the
film‘s fire behaviour are smoke development
(SMOGRA = smoke growth rate), dripping
behaviour and heat release rate (FIGRA = fire
growth rate) during the fire test. Classification
in flammability group A2, B, C, D or E is
dependent on the FIGRA value. The SMOGRA
value determines the smoke development
rating - s1, s2 or s3.
Good stretch ceiling films attain group B
without any problem, denoting low flammability.
Such building products do not lead to so-called
flash-over and thus prevent a fire from
spreading. With regard to smoke development,
stretch ceiling films generally attain an s2
rating, while the first films in s1 quality are
already available on the market. no dripping or
dropping of burning material takes place,
permitting d0 classification for this criterion.
Good flame-retardant properties are a quality
characteristic of stretch ceiling films, which
generally cover large surface areas inside
buildings. These properties are designed to
prevent a fire from spreading. Special flame
retardants in the formulation transform PVC
film into a flame-resistant product. Ongoing
monitoring and audits additionally ensure that
the formulation remains in keeping with the
state of the art at all times.
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Foto: GRuPA DPS

publisher‘s details
RENOLIT SE
Monika Fecht
Horchheimer Str. 50
67547 Worms – Germany
www.renolit.com
www.renolit.com/architecture
Phone: +49 6241 303-377
Fax: +49 6241 303-18.377
Email: cr@renolit.com
Design and editing:
GKT – Gesellschaft für Knowhow-Transfer
in Architektur und Bauwesen mbH
Leinfelden-Echterdingen – Germany