Texoversum Außenperspektive

Competition Education and Innovation Center

July 27, 2020 / Allmann Sattler Wappner Architekten, Menges Scheffler Architekten, Jan Knippers Ingenieure

Facade for Texoversum in Reutlingen

We are pleased to announce that the research on novel fibre-composite building methods of the institutes ICD and ITKE at the University of Stuttgart, due to a competition success for the education and innovation centre Texoversum in Reutlingen, is now entering the architectural practice.

Texoversum, a teaching, research and innovation centre for the cross-sectional technology of textiles, is being established on the Reutlingen University campus. Allmann Sattler Wappner Architects, Menges Scheffler Architects and Jan Knippers Engineers are the team responsible for the design. They were awarded first prize in an expert assessment process and were subsequently commissioned with the realisation of the building, which comprises almost 3,000 square metres of space for different user groups.
The architectural concept is based on a multifaceted examination of the topic of textile construction. The design theme is reflected both structurally in the internal interweaving of functions and in the representative building envelope, which creates an identity. The unique façade made of carbon and glass fibres, which is being implemented in this way for the first time, represents the innovative power and sustainability of fibre-based materials and textile techniques. In a robotic winding process developed at the Institutes for Computer Based Design and Construction (ICD - Achim Menges) and Building Structures and Structural Design (ITKE - Jan Knippers) at the University of Stuttgart, each individual facade element can be individually adapted to the requirements of its use. Starting from three basic modules, the elements transform themselves according to the course of the sun and form a unique, multi-layered appearance. The elements are completely self-supporting and do not require a supporting structure. Their staggered arrangement allows free views. In addition to the functional requirements of fall protection and external sun protection, the façade meets aesthetic and representative demands and creates an identity-creating building as a driving force for textile technology. The façade is manufactured by the company FibR GmbH, a spin-off from the University of Stuttgart.

Press contact:

ne@allmannsattlerwappner.de / mail@menges-scheffler.de / info@janknippers.com

All images: © Allmann Sattler Wappner Architekten, Menges Scheffler Architekten; Jan Knippers Ingenieure

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