What use is the most beautiful roof terrace when the summer heat becomes unbearable because of inadequate sun protection? The airy open space of the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Jena had not been used for years on hot days. However, since the terrace has been equipped with large-sized sunshades that can be comfortably and quickly operated with the GEIGER tubular motors, this large area can be used at any time for recreation or for informal meetings outside. The terrace is now always well-attended even in the midday heat.
The building of the Institute for Chemical Ecology was designed by the Munich architects Brechensbauer Weinhart + Partner in 1996. The Thuringian town of Jena was selected because it is home to the Friedrich-Schiller-University and many other research centers, making it an attractive scientific location. The establishment of the new institute building on the Beutenberg Campus with immediate proximity to other biological and chemical institutes offers excellent potential for scientific co-operations and the establishment of networks. The institute attracts researchers from all over the world. Five three-storey buildings with a total floor space of 7.800 m2 are grouped around a central access hall. To the east, the laboratory greenhouse is connected to the institute via the service area on the ground floor.
As part of an in-house construction project that provides for more meeting and communication areas, the terrace has been integrated into the new communication concept and equipped with a series of large sunshades. Particular attention was paid to the ease of use and to the automatic control in case of sudden wind and/or rain.
Our high quality and reliable tubular motors SOLIDline Parasol are predestined for this type of application. The motors were installed directly in the sunshade masts, with power being supplied by underground cables running directly from the ground into the mast. The SOLIDline Parasol electric drive has been specially adapted by GEIGER for operating parasols. It is placed upright in the sunshade mast and drives a spindle with 134 revolutions per minute which pushes the rod outwards over a runner or retracts it. This ensures a particularly fast and uncomplicated opening and closing of the sunshades. A torque shutdown enables a smooth stopping at the end points. A manual emergency operation is also provided.
The sunshade automatic is operated from a control panel inside the building. By using push-buttons, the user can address and operate each parasol individually. A weather station - already existing in the building - with wind and rain sensors could be integrated by GEIGER into the new system. Additional control functions provide a high degree of security both for the staff and the sunshades. In addition, a gearbox is installed inside the sunshades for manual operation of the locking mechanism in an emergency. The employees are most satisfied with the new shading system. The combination of high-quality sunshades, reliable drives and comfortable control options not only significantly improves the recreational quality of the rooftop terrace, but the architecture benefits also from the large sunshades which now creatively structure the large open space and add colour accents.
Gerhard Geiger GmbH & Co. KG • Schleifmühle 6 • D-74321 Bietigheim-Bissingen • Phone +49 (0) 7142 938-0 • Fax +49 (0) 7142 938-230 • info@geiger-impulse.net
The name GEIGER Antriebstechnik is synonymous worldwide for drive solutions in the sun protection area.
Today we are with about 320 employees one of the leading manufacturers of mechanical and electrical drives for Venetian blinds, awnings and rolling shutters.
GEIGER is a well-known, mid-sized company which offers world-wide drive components for the sun protection systems.
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