Hegau Tower

Hegau Tower
© Rainer Viertlboeck
Hegau Tower
© Rainer Viertlboeck

HEGAU TOWER

Murphy Jahn

ARCHITECTS
Murphy Jahn

PHOTOGRAPHS
Rainer Viertlboeck

AREA
17056.0 m2

PROJECT AREA
2008

LOCATION
Mühlhausen-ehingen, Germany

CATEGORY
Institutional Buildings

Text description provided by architect.

Hegau Tower's design is a direct result of close collaboration between architect and client; a clear modernist expression.

Located in Singen, Germany, 20 km west of Lake Constance and in immediate proximity to the Swiss border, this design by Murphy Jahn is part of a larger development plan.

Hegau Tower
© Rainer Viertlboeck
Hegau Tower
© Rainer Viertlboeck
Hegau Tower
© Rainer Viertlboeck

The redevelopment on the south side of the main train station is a representation of the transition of this industrial town of roughly 45,000 people from production to service based businesses.

The building is full of highly functional and energy efficient details, including thermal mass activation and integration into the HVAC system, exterior flexible shading on southwest facing facades, natural ventilation, nighttime cooling, and daylight optimization.

 MORE PHOTOGRAPHS AFTER THE BREAK

An extension of the regular façade beyond the building volume with screen walls generates a continuous glass sheet toward the eastern plaza and merges the two buildings into one.

Hegau Tower
© Rainer Viertlboeck
Hegau Tower
© Rainer Viertlboeck

The tower is constructed as a concrete frame with stiffening core and perimeter columns.

Structure and façade are designed for flexibility in office lay-outs and allow open plan, cell and combine offices as well as multiple tenants per floor. The façade module of 2,70 m fosters a generous ambiance of space.

Hegau Tower
© Rainer Viertlboeck
Hegau Tower
© Rainer Viertlboeck

Sustainable initiatives include the abundant and recurring strategies of daylight, air and water.

A windproof, exterior automatic operable sunshade on the southwest façade allows for reduction of solar loads along with automatic interior perforated louvers on the other three facades.

Hegau Tower
© Rainer Viertlboeck
Hegau Tower
© Rainer Viertlboeck

Natural ventilation is provided via hopper windows operated via chain motors and held by scissor hinges.

The flat concrete slab is equipped with PVC water tubes to cool and heat the exposed thermal mass of the structure.


Hegau Tower
© Rainer Viertlboeck
Hegau Tower
© Rainer Viertlboeck
Hegau Tower
© Rainer Viertlboeck


Hegau Tower
© Rainer Viertlboeck
Hegau Tower
© Rainer Viertlboeck
Hegau Tower
© Rainer Viertlboeck
Hegau Tower
© Rainer Viertlboeck


Hegau Tower
floor plan
Hegau Tower
section
Hegau Tower
site plan
Hegau Tower
sketch