Debis Building

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Debis Building
Potsdamer Platz Berlin, Germany 1996-1998
Renzo Piano Building Workshop
Photo Werner Huthmacher (2)
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Potsdamer Platz 1920s
The modern city is not only a nostalgic jumble.
It is related to the past and bound to the
present by utilizing all the available
technologies, by homogeneity and discipline in
the use of materials, and by introducing a
variety of perspectives. - Renzo Piano(3)
Photo (3)
Potsdamer Platz After WWII
Photo (3)
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West Elevation
Photo Werner Huthmacher (2)
The masterplan is modelled on cities
characterized by a finely woven texture
consisting of the social fabric and a wide range
of contrasting function and uses, which
paradoxically result in an overall appearance of
coherence. - Renzo Piano(3)
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Site Plan
Photo (2)
Typical Floor Plan
Photo (2)
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Site plan indicating the architects and their
buildings (1993). (3)
Master plan model 1992 (3)
The combination of different but partially
overlapping uses creates a balanced relationship
between the buildings and will enhance the area
with a variety of activities and people. Urban
density is not only the expression of economic
interest, but also the desire for a city way of
life. - Renzo Piano
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Terracotta façade inner panel with openable glass
slat outer panel
Photo Werner Huthmacher (2)
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Section of façade 1 Tilt-and-turn window 2
Glass slats 3 Tilt-and-turn window 4 Solar
shading device 5 Rail, clad in terracotta 6
Fire resistant panels 7 Terracotta façade
panel 8 Stainless steel grating 9 Safety
glass 10 Fixed pane
Photo (2)
Section of tower facade
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Photo (4)
Model / Details
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Photo Werner Huthmacher (2)
Reflective glass panels are mounted in the atrium
roof to reduce heat gain. The panels adjacent to
the walls of the offices deflect daylight into
the interior (2).
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Criteria Daylighting Yes Shading Yes (on
inner façade) Adaptability to various
orientations Yes variations in quantity of
glass and terracotta
façade elements to
suit building orientations User control
Yes Ventilation Active with openable windows
by building users Climate Temperate Aesthetics
Double skin glass façade with terracotta inner
façade elements Cost Not available Overall
thickness of wall Approx. 1m
Photo (4)
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Analysis The hybrid double skin façade of
the Debis Building is a very effective
environmental skin structure with several
benefits over a typical double skin
façade. Advantages 1) The ability of individual
users to control the internal environment of the
building through adjustment of openable inner
and outer facades. 2) Terracotta elements on
the façade are variable elements which allow for
a multitude of design variations and
coherence of the overall urban design.
Greater control of massing and transparency
variations and solar heat gain can be
achieved. 3) Glass slats on outer façade and the
blinds on the outer face of the inner facade
can be manipulated by users to control glare,
heat gain, and cooling ventilation.
Disadvantages High maintenance and cleaning
cost of façade glass elements. Bibliography 1.
Davey, Peter, ed. Cultural Centre Jean Marie
Tjibaou Renzo Piano Building Workshop. The
Architectural Review, 1998 01. 2. Melet,
Ed. Sustainable Architecture Towards a Diverse
Built Environment. Rotterdam NAI
Publishers, 1999. Presents a view of
sustainable architecture as a blend of
architectural and energy-efficient
qualities and argues for a new type of urban
development condition where buildings have
to be energy-generating, active controllers of
conditions instead of the static climatic
receivers that todays buildings normally
are. 3. Piano, Renzo. Renzo Piano
1987-1994. Boston Birkhäuser Verlag, 1995. 4.
Piano, Renzo. Renzo Piano Logbook.
New York The Monacelli Press, 1997. 5. The
Architectural Review www.arplus.com/archive/piano
/piano2.html