LIGHTWEIGHT CONSTRUCTION/FAÇADE: MVD

Weissach Cultural and Community Center

Weissach

Linde AG Unterschleissheim

Biologicum Goethe University Frankfurt

Cooperative State University BW Stuttgart

Leichtbau

Conserving resources.
With lightness and elegance.

Lightweight construction is the challenge of realizing the architecture, design and functionality of filigree structures with minimal use of materials. For more than 40 years, we at MVD have been designing and planning supporting structures that remain almost invisible and thus create lightness and transparency in architecture.

Lightweight construction is an important topic, especially with regard to resource-saving construction. Weight reduction and the use of high-performance materials in combination with the application of sophisticated verification methods have a direct impact on the energy balance and emissions. The better the ratio of load-bearing structure to payload, the more efficient and sustainable the result. In many cases, this also has a positive effect on costs.

Less is more. For many reasons.

Lightweight supporting structures are made of materials with a very good ratio of strength, load-bearing capacity and dead weight. This enables small cross-sections in the load-bearing structure, which makes filigree, transparent and lightweight architecture possible.

Lightweight constructions are mainly used in roofs and façades for reasons of fire resistance.

However, lightweight construction also offers advantages in system construction and for temporary structures due to easier conversion and lower dismantling costs.

Filigree facades. With the right connections.

MVD's core competence lies in advising and supporting architects with filigree special constructions for façades and roofing made of wood, steel and glass. The main focus here is on the nodes and joining points. Here, statics, aesthetics, ease of assembly and cost-effectiveness are combined in the best possible way.

With timber façades, the complex requirements for durability and resistance to fire flashover as well as building physics requirements are harmonized. Until now, there have been hardly any standardized solutions in this area. We see a great opportunity here to break new ground together with architects and building owners. For example, in the construction of curtain wall façades and their interface with the primary supporting structure. The challenge here is tolerance compensation and compatibility between the primary and secondary supporting structure.