Nature conceals solutions of the highest quality. Architects from the Munich-based HENN studio followed this pattern, designing the interiors of a modern philharmonic hall in the German town of Weikersheim. The concert hall in this town surprises with warmth, simplicity and acoustics that soothe the ear and soul.
Photo by Stefan Ernst
To get a good understanding of the quality of the interiors and acoustics in this edifice, we need to go back in time. Weikersheim is a small town in Germany, but one with a great history. The first mention of this imperial estate dates back to 837. Today it is known throughout the country as one of
of the most famous concert and music venues. It was on its outskirts that the modern Tauberphilharmonie was built. The austere, simple building hides a warm, friendly and wood-paneled interior.
Imperial sound quality thanks to acoustic panels on the ceiling and walls
The premise of architects from Munich-based studio HENN was simple - to combine opposites. The building's sharp-edged mass contrasts with the soft landscape of green hills around. And the large interior spaces, contrary to logic, do not overwhelm users with excessive reverberations of reflected sounds. They managed to plan acoustics at a royal level, although finding the right acoustic materials was not obvious.
The architects wanted to bring naturalness to the interiors.
The atmosphere we seek as architects must be created conceptually. In a concert hall, the atmosphere can be controlled with light and different materials. In such an environment, wood simply works perfectly. It radiates warmth, has life in it and is pleasant to the touch, which plays a role in the way it is perceived by the viewer, even if you can't touch it," he says.
Peter Bäuml, Partner at the HENN studio, about the origins of the project.
Knauf Ceiling Solutions had the answer to combining all these requirements. Its Wood Design panel line solutions, launched through a partnership with Knauf Design, allowed the architects to answer all these requirements.
Of course, it is impossible to achieve the top-notch acoustics required in concert halls solely through interior materials. That's why concrete with a special mass was used at the construction stage itself to help reduce noise. Enclosed on three sides by a dark façade, the silhouette of the two blocks conceals not only the concert hall, but rehearsal rooms, conference rooms, a huge glass foyer and a café.
In all the rooms, however, the leitmotif is the warmth of wood. This is a reference to the emotion the architects had in mind from the beginning, but also to the musical instruments themselves - after all, they are mostly made of wood. The natural hue, the calm texture of the wooden panels, and the uniformity of the interior mean that listeners during musical events are not distracted, and can sink into the music.
Acoustic wall cladding offered in Poland by Knauf Ceiling Solutions. Real wood veneer - functionality and design in one, concert hall of the Tauber Philharmonic in the German city of Weikersheim
Photo: Stefan Ernst
Acoustic wall cladding offered in Poland by Knauf Ceiling Solutions. Real wood veneer - functionality and design in one, concert hall of the Tauber Philharmonic in the German city of Weikersheim
Photo: Stefan Ernst
All this has been made possible by panels that are the work of Knauf Design and the latest addition to the Knauf Ceiling Solutions product range called Wood Design. The only decorative elements that break up the repetitive nature of the surface are the light points. On the ceiling they are round, like shining stars in a dark sky. Along the edges of the stairs and the folds on the walls, the lighting was planned as a series of led bright lines.
The bright lines of light bring out the color and texture of the wooden, acoustic wall coverings
Photo by Stefan Ernst
The effect is not an illusion of nature. The acoustic panels are gypsum-woven and covered with a surface veneered with natural wood. To enhance the acoustic friendliness, the manufacturer gives the option of special perforations in the boards. There are as many as 6 types of them. The size and number of perforations can also be a design element, depending on the designers' visual concept.
The philharmonic building contains other elements that make it part of the ecological trend. Part of the building's total energy demand is covered from natural sources - geothermal probes, located near the banks of the Tauber River adjacent to the building. Depending on the season, they extract heat or cold from the groundwater. The foyer uses natural stone - shell limestone sourced from local quarries.
Non-flammability important for public buildings
In the case of buildings accessible to a wide range of people such as cultural and medical facilities, universities, hotels and office buildings, in addition to design, the criterion of safety of the space is also extremely important. Restrictive building regulations apply to fire safety requirements, for example. Not all manufacturers are able to meet such stringent requirements.
This is a problem for interior designers. When choosing solutions in terms of design, they cannot always ultimately recommend a product. It may look beautiful, but not meet the regulations," admits Alicja Koziej, Technical Manager at Knauf Ceiling Solutions.
At Knauf Design, we chose gypsum fiber as the primary material for our product range. Stability, exceptional fire resistance and a wide range of surface design options create a solution that integrates both safety and aesthetics, explains Andreas Wilhelm, managing director of Knauf Design.
The boards in the Designboard Wood family allow for interesting visual effects, while meeting the requirements for non-combustibility, which is characterized by the reaction to fire: the non-combustibility of DESIGNBOARD 230 Wood is classified as A2-s1,d0. The designer can choose from three colors: oak, ash and dark American walnut.
Looking at the interiors of the Tauberphilharmonie, one gets the feeling that the era of the return to building with wood is actually over the threshold, and that the wooden skyscrapers announced in the media are real plans in architecture, not futurology.
Photo by Stefan Ernst
Photo by Stefan Ernst
