The architects at ACME conceived a dynamic façade cladding based on stainless steel tubes. To turn this idea into reality, seele made use of a technology for bending stainless steel tubes in three dimensions which had already been developed. Tubes with a diameter of 76mm were chosen. The machine for bending the tubes to the exact forms required was controlled by the very latest 3D design methods. Computer simulation was employed to define the installation sequence, and so all tubes were automatically printed with a code. Every tube is a one-off and lengths vary from 1.6 to 5.6m. The code meant that every tube could be fitted into its one and only position on the façade.
Once again, seele was able to rely on the expertise within the group and create a unique tubular façade with the help of the high-precision stainless steel fabrication services of seele’s plant in Pilsen. The work was completed in just seven months. The result is a façade of 2,590 stainless steel tubes bent in three dimensions which add up to a total length of 13.4km and total area of 4,343sqm.
Reference overview and Header image: © Ben Luxmoore
