One wall, three functions
The Centre at Potsdamer Platz is one of Berlin’s architectural landmarks and is constantly evolving. Designed by Helmut Jahn, the building complex opened in 2000 as the Sony Center for entertainment, but is now used for a variety of purposes. Focusing on New Work, culture and community, as well as ambitious sustainability goals, the area is being redeveloped into an urban hub offering workspaces, entertainment and open spaces.
In this context, architectural firm Kinzo collaborated with Lechner + Partner Ingenieure to design offices for an internationally active consulting firm. The aim was to create a work environment that supports various forms of collaboration, while also providing quiet spaces for focused work. “We wanted to create a place that exudes tranquillity and conveys a sense of poise — a work environment that doesn’t aim for showiness, but rather for simplicity,” said Martin Jacobs, Kinzo’s co-founder and partner.
The desire for a quiet, high-quality environment influenced not only the interior design, but also the technical systems of the building. The office and conference areas are air conditioned using GraviVent® from TTC Timmler Technology. This gravity-based cooling system uses natural convection and does not require additional fans. Consequently, cooling occurs silently. The system is also low-maintenance and fully recyclable. However, in order to make the most efficient use of wall space in the project, the design had to meet technical, acoustic and aesthetic requirements.
This challenge led to a collaboration between TTC Timmler Technology and Kinzo Architects to develop the product together. The result is an acoustic cooling wall that combines functions typically planned separately. The wall's construction follows a multifunctional principle: behind the visible surface are the GraviVent® elements, which cool the rooms. The air ducts required for this purpose also serve an acoustic function, acting as a buffer space to reduce noise. The construction is supplemented by an insulation layer. The system is finished with micro-perforated ash wood veneer panels backed with nonwoven fabric, which significantly contribute to its acoustic effectiveness. Thus, cooling and sound absorption are combined in a single component.
The desire for quiet and a high-quality environment shaped not only the interior design but also the building’s technical systems. GraviVent® from TTC Timmler Technology was selected for the air conditioning of the office and conference areas. The gravity-based cooling system utilizes natural convection and requires no additional fans. As a result, cooling occurs silently. At the same time, the system is low-maintenance and fully recyclable. However, to make the most efficient use of wall space in the project, the design had to meet technical, acoustic, and aesthetic requirements.
This challenge led to a collaboration between TTC Timmler Technology and Kinzo Architects for joint product development. The result is an acoustic cooling wall that combines functions that are typically planned separately. The wall’s construction follows a multifunctional principle: Behind the visible surface are the GraviVent® elements, which provide cooling for the rooms. The air ducts required for this purpose also serve an acoustic function and act as a buffer space to reduce noise. The construction is supplemented by an insulation layer. The system is finished with micro-perforated panels made of ash wood veneer backed with nonwoven fabric, which contribute significantly to its acoustic effectiveness. In this way, cooling and sound absorption are combined in a single component.
