Aluminum foam for new 3D metal printing competence center in Bremen
Creative design and understanding of nature par excellence.
In recent years, aluminum foams have steadily evolved into attractive design elements for surfaces. However, this is the first time that fillings made from refined aluminum foam panels have been used in sun protection elements.
Aluminum foam is not only particularly light, heat-insulating, and sound-absorbing, but also combines the brilliant beauty of metal with the graceful surface appearance of open-pored, porous natural stone. With EHRET sliding shutters, each panel is a unique piece with an organic cell structure that not only provides excellent sun and glare protection, but also creates translucent light effects in an unmistakably charming way. The aluminum foam panels offer excellent sun protection thanks to their approximately 60% closed cell structure in combination with neutral sun protection glass. From the inside, the sun protection elements do not block the view, but allow a pleasant, net-like transparency.
Bremen Technology Park – Foundation for innovative architecture
The Bremen Technology Park stands for cutting-edge research, scientific excellence, and pioneering technologies. It offers ample space for innovation, lifelong learning, and entrepreneurial value creation. Materialise GmbH—a leading global provider of 3D printing software headquartered in Belgium—specializes in 3D metal printing of titanium, stainless steel, Inconel, and aluminum at its production site in Bremen. This additive manufacturing offers a forward-looking technology for the automotive industry, aerospace, healthcare, and many other sectors, particularly with regard to weight and structural optimization. The products are designed according to bionic construction principles. With the help of complex computer programs, cellular structures are constructed following nature’s example and developed into lightweight components of the highest stability with minimal use of material.
New Materialise company building with distinctive metal facade
The company Materialise recently completed the first phase of construction on its new building in Bremen, which reflects not only the vision of the technology park, but also the company’s own philosophy and product range in a distinctive and natural way. Bremen architect Johannes Schneider designed a 3,500 sqm building consisting of a 4-story office wing, a 2-story hall, and an intermediate structure with a roof terrace. The façade was clad with large-format aluminum panels and, as a special feature, was fitted with a novel sun protection system with uniquely thin aluminum foam fillings that had never been used before. The particularly filigree texture creates exceptionally impressive lighting effects that cannot be imagined just by looking at the panels.
EHRET: Sun protection made of aluminum foam with an organic character
When choosing aluminum sliding shutters, the architect relied on the sophisticated technology and many years of experience of EHRET GmbH. A total of 228 sliding shutter panels were installed—85 of which are electric, 96 can be moved manually, and 47 are fixed as a design element. The electrically operated sliding shutters can be controlled both centrally and from the room. The running and lower guide rails were attached to the concrete facade without thermal bridges using stainless steel and aluminum brackets. The particularly lightweight frame profile in RAL 9007 (gray aluminum) was pressed with a special aluminum alloy to meet the static requirements of wind load zone 3. Thanks to the sun protection elements with 6 mm thin fillings made of refined aluminum foam in a natural look, the new building construction with its exceptionally organic facade language perfectly reflects the client’s vision.
EHRET – for an active lifestyle
EHRET excels in the art of perfectly harmonizing aesthetics, quality, functionality, and comfort. With 400 employees, EHRET is the European market leader for aluminum window shutters. For over 52 years, the EHRET brand has stood for premium quality and innovative ideas that inspire and move people.
