AXEL TOWERS
High ambitions for solar shading.
5 km of curtains and 2.5 km of curtain tracks, all sand coloured and all custom rolled. Fischer's curtain solution for Gorissen Federspiel's headquarters in Copenhagen's iconic Axel Towers beautifully merges grandeur with soft solar shading, adding a touch of elegance that complements the office's classic decor.
Lundgaard & Tranberg, the architects responsible for the city's iconic round landmark, have skillfully employed the rounded forms of Axel Towers. They designed the façade to ensure that each office receives direct sunlight for a maximum of two hours daily. Yet, it was still necessary to employ solar shading, which turned out to be a complex task, says architect and client advisor Bjarne Korsgaard Pedersen. Throughout the project, he engaged in numerous discussions and posed various questions to Gorissen Federspiel to determine the most effective solar shading solution for the challenge at hand.
"When selecting solar shading, several factors must be taken into account. Should it be external or internal? Do we opt for panel curtains, drapes, roller blinds, or Venetian blinds? What needs and preferences must we fulfil? Many aspects needed to be integrated into the solution, so establishing a well-informed foundation for the decision was crucial," explains Bjarne Korsgaard Pedersen and adds:
“Fischer's Product Manager, Ejvind Larsen Degn, was a great help. Knowledgeable, convincing, and trustworthy, he guided the tenant through a range of products and pointed out their advantages and disadvantages. My role was, as the representative of the client and landlord, to safeguard their interests.“
THE ALL-IN-ONE SOLUTION
"After a joint effort of establishing the functional and aesthetic requirements for the solar shading, our options naturally became more limited. As a result, the final decision was not as challenging as we initially thought," observes Bjarne Korsgaard Pedersen.
A Fischer textile designed with technical properties for light and heat became the solution. The curtains, which are both manually operated and motorised, are coated with aluminium on the outside, effectively reflecting sunlight and serving as a heat barrier. At the same time, the fabric is transparent enough for employees to enjoy views of the trees at Tivoli's entrance without glare interfering with their computer screens.
“To be sure of our decision, we conducted test hangings in Gorissen Federspiel's old office. This allowed us to observe how the curtains would function optimally and how much space they would occupy when drawn back,” says Bjarne Korsgaard Pedersen.
Given the light intensity of modern screens and projectors, the need for extensive blackout has diminished; however, the solution still fully satisfies all blackout requirements.
Ejvind Larsen Degn was responsible for the project at Fischer and took on the challenge, which placed high demands on the professional skills at all operational levels of the organisation. The installation required very specific expertise and craftsmanship, says Ejvind Larsen Degn and adds:
"It was an interesting task to execute. There were both technical solutions with curved curtain tracks, which are electrically controlled, and a technical textile where sunlight reflection allows for good visual transparency while avoiding glare during screen work.
But the visual result is a soft textile that adds atmosphere to the space and softens the traditional office environment."
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