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White aluminum facade posts and panels provide a vertical articulation in the facade image of Rhapsody in West. The many curves and shapes, as well as the demand for a thin and airtight facade system, led to facade manufacturer VPT Versteeg, which manufactured and assembled the desired system in-house. "We are growing more and more toward a digital construction site, where all parts are constructed prior to construction," says director Peter Moser.
Not an unnecessary luxury in this particular case, he explains. "In itself, Rhapsody in West is easily achievable for us in terms of production and volume; the vast majority are flat facade panels that are milled relatively easily, fitted with a standard assembly line. The logistical puzzle in assembly was the big challenge, and the requirements package was high in terms of noise and insulation, with subsequent testing for airtightness."
VPT Versteeg provides all white aluminum studs and panels between masonry and decorative concrete ties. "Every aspect of the supply was discussed in detail with the client and the architect, with whom we have already completed several custom projects. Right down to the choice of paintwork: after all, a white façade panel in the immediate vicinity of a highway requires a high-quality finish. With regular insulation cladding, the desired thin facade package was not possible; to this end, we sat down extensively with the supplier during the engineering phase."
When specification and pricing are approached integrally, it is possible to align such matters. This is equally true of the 3D/BIM working method. "We are betting heavily on the digital construction site and are finding that the BIM work environment is becoming more integral. It is important to do your preliminary work well so that you know exactly what is going to happen on the construction site. In this project, airtightness and a thin facade package were combined - a challenging task. When connections between different components are perfectly prepared, it is also logistically easy to plan - even for custom deliveries with a large form variation."
