HDG Magazine 1_2009

2009

1/4 Hot Dip GalvanizingInternational Magazine | ISSN 1363-0148 | www.galvanizing.org.uk

I am always out of kilter with the seasons when

it comes to shopping. By the time I decide that

I need a new pair of summer trousers, the

shops are full of autumn clothes – and so it

goes throughout the seasons. I feel that this

edition of the magazine is somewhat similar.

I am writing this in the middle of what seems

to be the coldest winter for decades and lo

and behold, we have several articles which

are, at the very least, more suited to warmer,

sunnier days. The brief survey of German

garden furniture, opposite, does give one a

feeling that perhaps summer is only just

around the corner.

(Although I cannot help wondering what she

puts in those sandwiches, or have they not

been fed for a week?).

Elsewhere there are flood defences (against

spring tides, no doubt) a viewing tower

(only for the summer), a walkway over an old

slag heap (much prettier when the trees are

out) and a greenhouse big enough to grow

tropical trees in.

I expect that we will feature galvanized

supporting steel for ski lifts and cable cars

in the issue that we put to bed on the

hottest day of the summer.

David Baron, Editor

Contents

2 Editorial

3 Galvanized garden furniture Natural materials

6 Mobile flood barrier

Flexible protection

7 Mottener tower

Rational material choice

8 New eco-architecture studio Aspirational learning

environment

10 De Waterlelie Community School Safety and durability on a

higher plane

12 Carl-Alexander-Park Revitalising a slagheap

14 Lausitz-Tower New lease of life

15 Laufenburg customs post Homogeneous design

16 Galvanizing In Detail

Front cover:

De Waterlelie Community School

Photo by G.J.M. van Rijswijk (VVKH), Leiden

Editorial

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Design

Galvanized garden furnitureNatural materials

By Holger Glinde

When the first warm rays of the sun herald the coming of spring and awaken

the garden greenery from its winter slumbers, that’s the time when many people’s

thoughts turn to garden furniture.

The choice of garden furniture is so wide that

it’s almost impossible to assess it all.

Every level of quality is represented in terms of

both design and manufacture. The most popu-

lar materials include plastic, timber and steel.

When steel is used it is often in conjunction

with hot dip galvanizing as a central element

of the design, not only because of its robust

corrosion resistance, but increasingly because

of its ‘natural’ appearance.

The combination of the lively patina of hot

dip galvanizing with timber, or with coloured

surfaces, fits harmoniously into the most

varied garden and terrace ambiences.

Our European colleagues give an overview of

some exciting options available in Europe.

Circular table and seat unitThis is a multi-purpose piece of garden furni-

ture which, in its standard version, can seat

eight people on the four bench seats.

Each bench seat can be removed in order to

make space for a wheelchair or a high chair.

A useful feature is that the height of the

benches can be altered by slotting them

into different positions on the table legs.

The lowest position is for adults, then children

and if the benches are set in the highest

position, the bench seats fit flush with the

tabletop, and it turns into a huge table for

12 people.

The table and seat unit is made from hot dip

galvanized steel and teak.

Disco Disco, Big Bux and La SuperfineBig Bux is a stool made to look like a box tree

that has been carefully shaped into a cube and

when a lamp is put in the base, it becomes an

outdoor lighting fixture.

Disco Disco is the name of a second stool

which, basically, aims to pay homage to the

sixties. Big Bux and Disco Disco are manufac-

tured from 3mm thick steel plate which is hot

dip galvanized and is available with different

colour finishes.

The La Superfine table and bench are available

in various sizes and are made from duromer

high-pressure laminate and hot dip galvanized

and painted steel.

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Design

The positive characteristics of the galvanizing

and the high-pressure laminate make

La Superfine into very long-lasting piece

of garden furniture.

Back to the ‘50’sCoordinated garden chairs, armchairs and

benches up to 3m long can be combined with

tables between 75cm and 270cm long.

The furniture’s design has a breath of fifties

nostalgia about it – and yet it is independent

and completely contemporary.

The individual pieces of furniture comprise

galvanized steel tube frames combined with

ash or painted steel for the tabletops.

The plain-galvanized lookOne of this designer’s lines is reduced, for

the most part, to hot dip galvanized steel and

consists of co-ordinated armchairs, tables on

castors, shelves, mobile barbecues, movable

flower tubs and a garden shower.

Other lines combine hot dip galvanized steel

with wooden elements.

Minimalist DesignGalvanized steel has long been the material

of preference for designers of garden furniture

since, in the open air, it continues to look good

as it ages, and can fit harmoniously into a

natural setting.

On the one hand, the designer can combine

galvanized steel with other materials such as

larch wood, basalt or limestone in minimalist

designs, but on the other hand he can offer

a minimalist variant of galvanized steel on its

own.

Outdoor furniture made from hot dip galvanized

steel will enrich any garden with its charm –

a combination of naturalness and liveliness.

As is well known, hot dip galvanizing is imper-

vious to wind and weather (including ultra-violet

rays) and is more tolerant of mechanical

abuse arising from the way the furniture is

used (children, please note).

With hot dip galvanized garden furniture, the

summer can come back just as new and fresh

every year.

Further information:

www.extremis.be

www.miramondo.com

www.atelieralinea.ch

www.jankurtz.de

www.reichenberg-weiss.de

Care tips

Generally speaking, galvanized steel needs no

maintenance.

Hot dip galvanizing protects by forming a complex

surface coating in combination with the atmosphere,

but it takes a few weeks to form.

For this reason, standing moisture should be avoided

on new, galvanized garden furniture.

Moreover, the air should be allowed to circulate freely

around it. The use of covering films is not only not

necessary, but should be completely avoided.

Clean water and a standard household sponge are

recommended for cleaning hot dip galvanizing.

The use of highly acidic or strongly alkaline cleansing

agents is not advisable.

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The River Saale flows through Bad Kissingen

and if precipitation in Lower Franconia meets

the snow melt in the neighbouring Rhone and

this causes the Saale to rise, it can flood

causing considerable damage over large areas

of Bad Kissingen. To counteract this, the

Bavarian state authorities, with co-financing

from the EU amounting to 12.5 million Euros,

have erected a dyke about a kilometre long,

together with removable flood barrier walls,

on the east bank of the Saale.

The mobile protection barrier for the Bad

Kissingen inner city is in two sections, with

a total length of over 500 metres.

Each section is divided into panels 2.5 metres

long, with a maximum height of 1.6 metres,

depending on the undulation of the land.

Each panel consists of a foundation base and

a reinforced concrete wall with a maximum

height of 1.1 metres, so as not to obscure

the view of the flood plains and gardens along

the Saale.

At high flood levels, galvanized steel shoes with

heights of between 0.3 and 0.6 metres are

bolted onto the continuous wall at intervals of

2.5 metres.

To allow more space for roadside cafes, the

wall has been widened out into a bay at some

points.

The steel shoes interlock with aluminium

struts, which extend horizontal timber sheeting

made from rectangular extruded hollow

wooden chamber sections 2.5 metres long and

10 centimetres high.

Wicket gates in the wall allow people to pass

through in the summer and when the flood

barrier is raised or dismantled. The mixed cons-

truction format guarantees minimum weight,

and simultaneously sufficient loading capacity,

together with rapid manual installation of the

barrier.

Manufacturer: IBS, Thierhaupten

Photos: Klaus Idelberger, Bad Kissingen

Flooding is an age old problem, however, the number of catastrophic floods and the

level of damage associated with them has dramatically increased over the last few

years. The increase in paved surfaces, which allow no infiltration, or the changes made

to natural water courses are just two of the typical reasons for this. It is true that

investing in flood protection barriers does not eliminate the causes of the problem

but as the example of a flexible flood protection barrier in Bad Kissingen shows, flood

damage is minimised.

Technik

Mobile flood barrier Flexible protection

By Holger Glinde

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Architecture

Mottener towerRational material choice

By Holger Glinde

The artistically fashioned cylindrical

shape of the observation tower on the

Mottener Hill near Fulda is reminiscent

of the form of a wheat beer glass.

It is a replacement for a wooden tower

which rotted away.

When the design of the replacement structure

was being considered the question of which

material should be used was at the forefront of

the design rationale. The decision was taken to

use galvanized steel, on grounds of economy

and long life. The tower was designed by the

architect Rudolf Röbig of Schondra.

The steel construction work was carried out by

Rothkegel Metallbau of Bad Brückenau.

Four vertical stair supports and four concave

edge supports define the 23 metre high

structure. Trapezoidal heavy plates link the stair

supports with the edge supports.

Twelve horizontal tubular cross bars under the

platforms and a twelve-fold zigzag brace

connecting with the strings running parallel to

them stabilise the supports.

The platforms act as observation balconies,

which appear to hang like birds’ nests on round

steel bars forming pendants on both sides of

the tower body. Three of the nests act as rest

areas. The lowest platform also acts as a

shelter for ramblers.

At the top of the tower is a viewing platform

measuring 36 square metres. On a clear day,

the landscape of the Rhone valley can be seen

in the distance.

Architect: Rudolf Röbig, Schondra

Steel construction: Rothkegel Metallbau, Bad Brückenau

Photo: Klaus Idelberger, Bad Kissingen

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The £3M refurbishment and expansion scheme

recently completed at Scroope Terrace com-

prises the new eco-architecture studio and a

major refurbishment of the Georgian Scroope

Terrace building for the Department of architec-

ture. The scheme was masterminded by Head

of Department, Professor Marcial Echenique,

and designed by Freeland Rees Roberts Archi-

tects with Mole Architects. The scheme is desig-

ned to unite and strengthen the Department's

teaching and research functions.

The new studio building sits to the rear of

the terrace adjacent to Colin St John Wilson's

seminal 1950's extension.

The brief required a single teaching space

clear of columns to house the undergraduate

design studio and a building made of timber

that retained the existing on-site car parking.

A contemporary version of Victorian warehouse

buildings was pictured, with cast iron replaced

by timber and simply designed details.

Planning and Social ConstraintsSpace for the new building was limited; plan-

ning constraints meant that existing listed trees

needed to be preserved and sufficient space

given to the rear of the listed Georgian terrace

to preserve its integrity.

The placement of the building responds to

these constraints. It creates a central cloistered

garden space between the new building and

the existing extension, providing a physical

link between the group of buildings that make

up the School of Architecture. The garden is

enclosed by the existing historic garden wall to

the rear, and a new brick wall on the line of the

original one to the south, separating the car

park beyond.

Materials & ConstructionThe form of the new building is determined by

its function, and a desire to build a naturally

Architecture

New eco-architecture studioAspirational learning environment

By Iqbal Johal

The new eco-architecture studio at Scroope Terrace, home to Cambridge University's

Faculty of Architecture and History of Art, has been shortlisted for a Royal Institute of

British Architects (RIBA) East Spirit of Ingenuity Award. The new studio building uses

natural materials and efficient energy and construction systems which minimise the

environmental impact of the building.

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Architecture

cooled timber-frame building that embodies

the Department's commitment to sustainable

design. North lights in the saw-tooth roof

provide even natural light without solar gain

and an innovative cooling strategy has been

adopted, comprising good cross-ventilation,

high-level windows and an innovative water-

based radiant cooling system in the ceiling.

The expressed structural timber frame gives

rhythm to the elevations, clad externally in

cement fibre panels, a large-scale version of

weatherboarding, recessed between the timber

columns. Inside, structural principles are made

apparent in the timber trusses; the top chord

gets slimmer towards the supports, and the

struts reduce in size as the forces reduce.

Galvanized steel contributes to the sustainable

credentials of the project in a number of ways.

All external hangers and shoes supporting the

new studio building's timber frame are bespoke

galvanized steel sections. In addition, the

pedestrian links that connect the new building

to the existing terrace and Sandy Wilson buil-

ding employ galvanised steel elements as part

of their construction, including 125 x 65mm

PFCs supported on 60 x 60mm RHS welded

to steel angles to form cleverly form handrails.

Finally, the fire escape bridge and staircase to

the south east of the building is constructed

entirely from hot dip galvanized steel members.

In all cases steel was chosen for its recyclable

sustainability rating and galvanizing for its

aesthetic and weathering purposes.

The new studio embodies contemporary struc-

tural and sustainable construction methods

while creating a light-filled space for studying

and making architecture. The design of the

studio will act as an inspiring learning environ-

ment and its sustainable construction should

aid the students' experience of designing low

energy, ecological buildings in the future.

Architects: Freeland Rees Roberts Architects &

Mole Architects

Photos: David Butler - Page 8, Mole Architects - Page 9

Hot Dip Galvanizing | 9

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The new Community School designed by

Gerrit-Jan van Rijswijk of VVKH Architects in

Leiden is a versatile complex accommodating

a great number of functions.

The new building houses two primary schools,

a day nursery with after school care, a commu-

nity centre for the Turkish Cultural Centre

Leidschendam, a health centre, a boxing school

and a sports hall.

The sports hall and boxing school including

activity area and changing rooms are situated

in the basement of the complex.

The Community School occupies a total area

of 4568 m2. The complex is equipped with

a sophisticated climate control system.

As a result of good insulation and ventilation

with heat recovery the school is 25% more

energy efficient than existing regulations.

The design has also been tested with regard

to a number of durable building aspects, such

as use of materials, water, health, energy, etc.

The building scored extremely high in this study

(final mark 8.4 out of 10).

The roof of the school which also serves as a

playground is accessible via a bridge. A robust

system of galvanized steel railings has been

installed around the playground to create a

safe play area for the children.

Galvanizing as a surface treatment ensures

that the steel elements in question are well

protected against corrosion and therefore have

a high degree of durability.

Furthermore the coating requires little main-

tenance and is able to cope with the daily wear

that the railings system will endure from the

enthusiastic activities of the children.

Project details:

Architect/photos: G.J.M. van Rijswijk (VVKH), Leiden

Designer: IMD, Rotterdam

Installations: Valstar Simonis, Rijswijk

Construction: Stout, Hardinxveld-Giessendam

Landscaping: Kuiper Compagnons, Rotterdam

Client: Leidschendam-Voorburg Council

The first thing which is reflected in the pond of the park in the Prinsenhof area of

Leidschendam is the railing on the first floor of a school building.

This railing is not just attractive but also offers solid protection for children playing

outside ‘De Waterlelie’ Community School.

Architecture

De Waterlelie Community School Safety and durability on a higher plane

By Gerard Reimerink

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It is the first completed project of the ‘Green

Metropolis’ initiative, which is developing

future perspectives for Belgian-Dutch-German

co-operation, in the context of cross-border

structural change for the former mining region.

After the pit closed, the Carl-Alexander mine

site, which stretches over approximately

80 hectares and has an imposing 80 metre

high slagheap on the western edge of the city

of Baesweiler, was largely abandoned to nature

for many years. The slagheap and the surroun-

ding area have become almost entirely forested

in the interim period.

In 2002, the city of Baesweiler organised an

international planning competition to promote

future high-quality development of the site.

A key principle that was identified early within

the competition was that the project develop-

ment should achieve the right balance between

keeping the historical links but also creating a

modern legacy for the future of the area.

It also had to make sense in terms of urban

development.

Based on the conceptual approach of the prize-

winning competition entry from the consortium

formed by DTP Essen and PASD Hagen, the

'Carl-Alexander Park Baesweiler' master plan

was developed. It formulates strategies for

the development of the former mine itself

and the immediate vicinity and lays down

the framework for the subsequent stages of

development.

A central element in the master plan was the

creation of a new technology and industry

area centred on biotechnology and the life

sciences and the idea of nature, leisure time

and lifestyles.

The themes of ‘mines’, ‘hills’ and ‘ascending’

are featured throughout the project.

Architecture

Carl-Alexander-ParkRevitalising a slagheap

By Holger Glinde

The Carl-Alexander mine in Baesweiler, which was closed in 1975, exploited the

Aachen seam, the north-east part of the Limburg coal field, which extends from Bel-

gium through the Netherlands to Germany. Carl-Alexander Park has developed on the

site of the former pit.

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The ‘mining centre’, which has been given a

red façade, acts as the gateway to the ascent.

It is the ‘base camp’ for the route up to the top

of the slagheap and acts as a central meeting

point where you can eat and relax.

In addition, it is also to be used by various

associations.

The slagheap can be climbed via a flight of

steps in the mining centre, which leads the visi-

tor onto a suspension bridge about 25 metres

long. It forms the link with the suspended

walkway which takes the visitor up the slope at

a height of 6 to 10 metres above the ground.

In the course of the ascent, the walkway

changes its nature, and it ends in a ridge path,

which leads in a straight line to the next ele-

ment, the mountain plateau.

The mountain plateau is a viewing platform on

the south-west side at the top of the slagheap.

It provides an opportunity to have a rest and

in good weather it offers a wide view over the

Aachen mining region and the mountain park.

All steel structures such as the flight of steps in

the mining centre, the suspension bridge, the

suspended walkway and the viewing platform,

have been galvanized.

In addition to reliably providing long-term,

robust anti-corrosion protection, there were

also design grounds for selecting galvanizing.

The zinc-grey surfaces were chosen to contrast

with the dominant red of the mining centre

façade, which can be seen as an inspiration

for additional buildings and which harmonises

splendidly with the green of the plant life and

the anthracite shades of the slagheap.

Architects: DTP, Essen and PASD, Hagen

Photos: robfra1973

Architecture

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Architecture

Lausitz-Tower New lease of life

By Holger Glinde

The population of Hoyerswerda, which at one time was full of blocks of flats which

were typical in East Germany, will have gone down to about 30,000 by 2015. Some of

the 11-storey concrete structures which were such a feature of the central part of the

town, and had deteriorated badly from standing empty, have been demolished.

This has created large expanses of waste

ground, and there was a possibility that the

central area would fall into rack and ruin.

An architectural competition was organised,

and Muck Petzet Architects of Munich

proposed that some of the residential

accommodation should be retained, and even

that additional stories should be added.

A landmark should be created at a well-known

point in the central part of Hoyerswerda

(the so-called “Lausitz Tower“), which would

breathe new life into the area.

The building would house commercial pre-

mises, together with high-quality residential

accommodation. An additional storey was to be

built on, and there was to be a public observa-

tion platform at the top, with a roof terrace for

the residents. The existing exposed concrete

facade of the Lausitz Tower was covered by a

heat-insulating laminated facade, whilst fair-

faced concrete was used for the new build,

which was given a raw timber surface.

The external envelope was enhanced by a living

wall facade, which provided some lightness as

a contrast to the massive solidity of the tower

block. To achieve this effect, hot dip galvanized

plant troughs were distributed over all the

floors of the building.

They are linked to a wide-meshed network

which is intended to ensure that the building

surfaces and the windows do not appear too

large. As a vertical park, the building’s living

wall evokes the trees in the surrounding area,

and is intended to symbolize a new image for

Hoyerswerda combining modernity, urban life,

and the surrounding landscape.

The open spaces created by demolition in the

town centre have inspired the “green architec-

ture” which reflects them.

Galvanized steel, is also used within the project

to emphasise the industrial origins of the

existing buildings. Balconies, railings and

handrails are galvanized in conjunction with

the support system for the living wall.

The material’s image is particularly striking on

the balcony elevation, with the newly advanced

steel parapet, which picks up an abstract plant

design. In addition to the design aspects,

the main argument for using galvanized steel

was a combination of durability and cost

effectiveness.

Architects/photos:

Muck Petzet Architekten, Munich

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Architecture

Laufenburg Customs postHomogeneous design

By Holger Glinde

It was designed by Architects Würkert, Felchlin,

Zickenheiner in Lörrach, and it stands on the

German side of a bridge over the Rhine.

The homogenous material concept with its

grassed roof above the roadway, and the

semi-natural layout of the surroundings, all

contribute towards integrating the Customs

building into the landscape.

The Customs building has been designed as

a compact, cube-shaped structure.

From the road, it looks like a single-storey flat

building, which houses a concourse area where

travellers and freight are dealt with, as well as

office space and inspection garages.

The roof above the roadway merges into the

Customs building, which is made of timber,

and stands like an oversized table above the

roadway and the Customs building, linking the

two together to form an architectural unity.

At the same time, the building has a second

climatic envelope, formed by the big roof and

the lamellae mounted between the supports,

which significantly reduce the extent to which

the concourse area heats up in summer.

The extensively grassed over roadway roof

takes the form of a galvanized steel structure,

and measures 39m x 25m. It consists of two

rows of steel supports, with eight supports

in each row.

Near the roadway booths, there are eight

stanchions, which act as insubstantial-looking

light fittings at night.

Three big skylights provide sufficient light

below the roadway roof during the day.

If the customs post was ever to become

redundant (Switzerland to join the EU?) the

structure has been designed so that it can

be easily dismantled and the structural

elements reused.

Architects/photos:

Würkert, Felchlin, Zickenheiner, Lörrach

The Laufenburg European Union Customs post on the German-Swiss border was

built in order to decrease the pressure created by the through traffic between the

historic old towns of Laufenburg/Baden and Laufenburg/Aargau.

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HOT DIP GALVANIZING

An international journal published jointly by the galvanizing associations of Germany,

The Netherlands and Great Britain. It is licensed to associations in Spain.

Edited by: G. Deimel, H. Glinde (Editor in Chief), I. Johal, D. Baron,

Drs. G. H. J. Reimerink

Published by: Galvanizers Association, Wren’s Court,

56 Victoria Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B72 1SY, UK

Tel: +44 (0) 121 355 8838 Fax: +44 (0) 121 355 8727

E-Mail: [email protected] Internet: www.galvanizing.org.uk

This magazine may not be copied without the written permission of the editor © 2009.

Distributed in Australia by: Galvanizers Association of Australia, 124 Exhibition Street,

Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia, Tel: 0396541266, Fax: 0396541136,

E-mail: [email protected]

The internationally renowned botanical institute

at the Heinrich Heine University has had a

new cold greenhouse made to accommodate

plants from the southern hemisphere.

Typical examples of these, such as the Austra-

lian silver gum or the nightlight tree, which is

found in Mexico, are provided with optimal

overwintering conditions in the galvanized steel

structure.

Since greenhouses are regularly exposed to a

high degree of atmospheric humidity, hot dip

galvanizing has become generally accepted as

the standard protective method for applications

of this kind. HG

Planning/Execution/Photos: BLB NRW Dusseldorf

Galvanizing In Detail

Galvanizing Delight

2009

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