the situation


The client envisioned an open-air atrium that could be quickly converted to a covered space if needed. The covering, when in use, should allow maximum sunlight into the courtyard as well as into the surrounding office windows.


the solution


A retractable, folding roof system was designed using SEFAR® Architecture TENARA® Fabric, chosen for its light transmission and flexibility.

Project Gallery
HVB Bank top floor view HVB Bank top angle view of closed canopy HVB Bank atrium view of closed canopy HVB Bank top floor view of partially closed canopy HVB Bank atrium view of partially deployed canopy HVB Bank directly under canopy looking up HVB Bank directly under deployed canopy looking up HVB Bank corner angle HVB Bank open canopy second story view HVB Bank close-up of canopy and building HVB Bank view of canopy and roof tiles HVB Bank fabric close-up

HVB Bank, Convertible Open-Air Atrium

The atrium of the HVB Bank in Munich, Germany is enclosed on all four sides, with light entering only from the vertical opening. The owner wanted to preserve the openness and light, while creating a convertible space—open-air in good weather and enclosed in bad.

The solution is a beautiful retractable system based on SEFAR® Architecture TENARA® Fabric. The high light transmission of the fabric maintains the open feeling, even on cloudy and rainy days. What's more, the flexibility of the fabric is perfectly suited to the retractable design and unique split-peat construction used for rain/water management.

The system was designed by architects Guido Canali and Gilberto Botti, and fabricated by Clauss Markisen.

project details

applications:

Retractable Structures

Shade Structures

Seasonal Structures

product:

SEFAR® Architecture
TENARA® Fabric


  • TENARA is a registered trademark of W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.