Historical Charm, innovative Interior An open-plan office featuring innovative Rossoacoustic acoustic panels has been installed in a former artillery workshop on the Hanomag factory site in Hanover. Redbrick buildings, industrial charm and the spirit of days long past characterise the Hanomag factory site in Hanover, a notable example of German industrial architecture in the late 19th and early 20th century. Built in 1916, the former production halls are now mainly used by companies as office space. The new offices of the technology enterprise Rohde & Schwarz were set up in a former artillery workshop. BBU.PROJEKT ARCHITEKTEN from Hanover was charged with the task of transforming the open, spacious structure into a modern open-plan office, while maintaining its historical charm. Rossoacoustic PADs and panels were used to improve room acoustics. INVISIBLE YET HIGHLY EFFECTIVE Optimisation of room acoustics was a major element in the redesign of the open-plan offices and cafeteria, which featured the inclusion of communication and quiet zones. "The reason why acoustic measurements are so important is that the effect of sound in a room is not visible. Solutions are often based on "gut instinct" and have either no effect at all or, in the worst case, have a negative impact on room acoustics," explains Gerd Sinz, an architect and project controller at Rossoacoustic. The new office for Rohde & Schwarz features partitions in the form of transparent honeycomb panels from the Rossoacoustic CP 30 system. These were used to acoustically separate groups of desks, communication zones and individual working areas from one another. Acoustic pads from the Rossoacoustic PAD product family absorb sound on the ceilings and walls, as do the coarsely textured lightweight wood wool panels under the ceiling. WORKING IN A RELAXING ATMOSPHERE For this project, which was completed in 2017, BBU.PROJEKT ARCHITEKTEN decided to collaborate with Rossoacoustic because of the company's many years of in-depth expertise and, as the architects stressed, "due to the product's convincing mixture of acoustic effectiveness and transparent, lightweight aesthetics with an industrial touch". The very high quality of the products is complemented by exciting textures and colours. BBU.PROJEKT ARCHITEKTEN based the colour scheme for the innovative office design on the enterprise's corporate identity and added just a few clear shades of blue to create the occasional highlight. The result is modern, airy workplaces with a perfect acoustic effect and a pleasant surrounding atmosphere. Stuttgart, September 2018 Reprint free of charge / File copy requested Captions: 01 The Hanomag works in Hanover is a striking redbrick ensemble and an impressive example of German industrial architecture in the early 20th century. Photo: Jörg Hempel 02 The architects developed a fitting acoustics concept to create ideal working conditions in the open, spacious rooms of the former factory hall. Photo: Jörg Hempel 03 The individual workplaces are separated from one another by partitions in the form of transparent honeycomb panels from the Rossoacoustic CP 30 system. Photo: Jörg Hempel 04 Acoustic pads from the Rossoacoustic PAD product family were installed under the ceiling to absorb sound. Photo: Jörg Hempel 05 When installed in rows, Rossoacoustic PADs achieve optimal effect and a clear-cut visual impression. Photo: Jörg Hempel 06 The architects based the colour scheme on Rohde & Schwarz's corporate identity, while adding a small number of dark blue highlights. Photo: Jörg Hempel 07 Rossoacoustic PADs offer diversity in form and colour with their characteristic soft embossing. Photo: Frank Ockert 08 Rossoacoustic PADs have distinctive soft embossing. This design feature creates a formal proximity to Nimbus LED luminaires. Photo: Frank Ockert 09 Rossoacoustic PADs are also available in PLUS versions (sound absorption class A). They can be suspended from the ceiling or mounted vertically with no trouble at all. Photo: Frank Ockert 10 Rossoacoustic CP30 is translucent and available in different versions (e.g. in the CP30 Frost or CP30 Clear version). Photo: Frank Ockert 11 The Rossoacoustic TP30 room partitioning system provides ample opportunities for customising using fabric and colours. The featherweight panels can be installed and combined in any imaginable constellation without the use of tools; colours can be chosen to match the interior. Photo: Frank Ockert 12 Rossoacoustic PADs in the colours grey dawn (light grey), yellow field (yellow) and nightfall (blue). Photo: Frank Ockert ABOUT THE NIMBUS GROUP The Nimbus Group was founded by the architect Dietrich F. Brennenstuhl in 1988. It is different from most other enterprises and being different has helped the company to explore new avenues. Nimbus was the very first company to place its faith in LED technology, thus giving itself a global lead over the competition. The company has realised around 12,000 LED projects since 2006 and can now call upon a wealth of experience: its spectrum ranges from fitting out houses, doctors' practices, schools and boardrooms through to company headquarters like the Unilever head office in Hamburg, the ADAC headquarters in Munich and the head office of the WTO in Geneva. The same innovative ability also finds expression in the Rosso and Rossoacoustic brands of highly flexible shading and room-partitioning systems; this is particularly apparent in the integrated acoustics solutions, which were developed using the latest findings from science and research. The brands in both fields – light and acoustics – have joined forces in pursuit of innovation. Together with leading research institutes, the Nimbus Group is developing acoustically effective LED lighting solutions and further new products aimed at optimising office design. At Light + Building 2018 the Nimbus Group presented a whole range of visionary luminaires that consistently embody the idea of cableless light that is available whenever and wherever it is needed. With their top-quality, appealing design, the lightweight and effortlessly rechargeable luminaires fit in perfectly with the company’s philosophy. The Nimbus Group is a member of the renowned "German Design Council" foundation and a founding member of the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB). You will find further information about the Nimbus Group at: www.nimbus-group.com Stuttgart, September 2018 Reprint free of charge / File copy requested