Precision at Every Level
Top-notch services for 20-storey high-rise block of flats
Facts & Figures
Year of construction: 2021
Building owner: Eberle Nafag AG
Region: St. Gallen
The site where a mill wheel turned since 1288 and was home to the Eberle Mills until two years ago, has become the new address of residential tenants as of August 1, 2021. They now occupy a high-rise consisting of 44 high-quality 2.5- to 4.5-bedroom apartments with floor-to-ceiling windows as well as loft apartments in the annexed machinery building. The 60,000m2 site is rounded off with a swimming pool and a roof terrace for the tenants.
The high-rise block of flats has now become a lighthouse project, not only for the surrounding area, its architects and the respective authorities, but also for Schenker Storen who were commissioned with providing the shading and were able to execute the project on schedule with a high level of professionalism. In addition to the tasks that Schenker Storen is used to carrying out on a daily basis, the high-rise block of flats also presented them with some interesting challenges – most notably in the areas of logistics, aesthetics, security and materiality.
Logistics: A blind for each window
Even when a building is constructed with the greatest precision, no two windows, parapets or balconies are ever exactly the same. This makes the logistical challenge all the more demanding as Schenker Storen had to ensure that each individual element ended up on the right floor, in the right apartment, in the right window. This logistical feat was a complete success in the case of the Rickenbach mill: A total of 248 galleries and 125 blinds found their way to their assigned home, and have become a design feature of the Rickenbach mill’s facade, which can be seen from miles around.
Aesthetics: Panels as design elements
Several challenges also had to be mastered when installing the sheet metal lintels. In some places, the water drains were routed through the panels. This required careful and detailed planning. They had to be designed with precision and installed in exactly the right place with millimetre level accuracy. The panels had to fulfil two roles: act as a cover for the blinds and as a windowsill. This also demanded precision work and craftsmanship, but it also required an eye for aesthetics to seamlessly and elegantly integrate the 500mm high sheet metal lintels into the facade as attractive design elements.
Security: Wind and fire
Usually the challenges are never-ending with a high-rise. This is also true when it comes to the effects of the elements, because unpredictable wind and weather conditions prevail above a certain altitude. The professionals at Schenker Storen took this into account and consequently installed a more solid substructure. They also took precautions in terms of fire safety: Schenker Storen has offered the fireproof FireTex fabric since 2019; it meets all the requirements of the VKF (Cantonal Fire insurance Association) in full.
Materiality: Prefab elements must be handled with care
It was already clear from the construction plans that prefab elements would have to be used. The Schenker Storen team was duly briefed and equipped. This is because concrete plaster tends to crumble when drilled into. The team’s careful approach avoided any unnecessary structural damage right from the start and simultaneously safeguarded the solidity of the construction.
In use: Vertical fabric blind VSe ZIP with FireTex
The wind-stable vertical fabric blind VSe ZIP is a popular choice for shading systems in public buildings, as well as apartment buildings and single-family homes, because it combines functionality and aesthetics at the highest level. The fabric for this type of blind comes in 436 designs, including the fireproof FireTex fabrics.
