30.12.2024

Object in focus 2023: innovative products and solutions

Building design

Photo: James Hardie

The most beautiful, the best or the most sustainable product is worth little if it cannot be shown to its best advantage in a building. This applies to unique items as well as series and standard products. We show reference examples that have been created through the use of innovative products and solutions or have contributed to the development of custom-made products.

It is often the economic framework conditions that set limits to the creativity of architects and planners. With Hardie Architectural Panel, the balancing act between high-quality design and convincing cost-effectiveness can be achieved. The large-format façade panels, measuring 3,048 x 1,220 x 8 millimetres, are made of durable fiber cement and have been specially developed for new builds or renovations. A special manufacturing process, in which the texture is applied in a single step, is the basis for the economical price-performance ratio. It is also associated with lower CO2 emissions, which is why the medium-density façade panels have been awarded the Eco 1 label by Ecobau.

Two different surfaces – brushed concrete and textured render – and six colors provide all the requirements for designing a building envelope. Special colors can also be selected according to individual customer requirements. The surfaces of Hardie façade panels are weather-resistant, easy to clean and the color finish is lightfast, making them particularly suitable for multi-storey residential, commercial and public buildings. The manufacturer James Hardie confirms this with a 15-year guarantee.

Hardie Architectural Panels can be installed as a ventilated rainscreen cladding (VHF) on a timber or aluminum substructure with or without insulation. The low panel weight simplifies installation. The finishing touches are provided by accessories that perfectly match the panel color. James Hardie has also developed an invisible fastening system for its large formats.

Product: Hardie Architectural Panel

Manufacturer: James Hardie

Order free samples here.

The popular Bambesch forest playground on the northern outskirts of Luxembourg was renovated. The concept by landscape architects Schwarze und Partner for the client, the City of Luxembourg, envisaged a playful interpretation of the city’s history and Luxembourg’s rocky landscape. In close cooperation with Richter Spielgeräte, an authentic, inclusive playground made of natural materials was created, embedded in the forest as a feel-good place for visitors of all ages.

At the entrance to the playground, the statue of the mermaid Melusine awaits the children next to the gnome village with playhouses and sand play facilities. Above, at the beginning of the watercourse with its many damming elements and water sources, the “Three Acorns” fort, a large playable castle complex, rises majestically. The “Hohler Zahn” castle ruins are located on another hill: they offer children an impressive view and an exciting descent down the tunnel slide to a huge climbing structure made of crooked robinia trunks. The “Three Towers” can be reached via the “Castle Bridge”, which is equipped with a wheelchair rocker as a bridge deck. A mystical basement made of artificial rock supports the wooden structure, which in turn contains a pretzel bakery and a guard room.

The various play functions in the historicizing elements are complemented by play equipment for spinning, seesawing, jumping and swinging. The playground, which was already popular before the renovation, is now a destination not only for Luxembourg families, but also for visitors from nearby countries.

Product: Play equipment

Manufacturer: Richter Spielgeräte GmbH and KaGo & Hammerschmidt GmbH (artificial rocks)

Project: Bambesch forest playground, City of Luxembourg

Architects: Schwarze und Partner, landscape architects mbB

richter-spielgeraete.de

The glass shell may be deceptive: The new headquarters of the insurance company for fire and natural hazards (ECA) of the Swiss canton of Vaud offers maximum security. The Swiss architects Architram Architecture et Urbanisme chose steel profile systems from Forster to meet the multi-layered safety requirements.

Due to the complex tasks of the building, the architects’ nested yet ingenious concept placed the emergency call center at the core. The functions are arranged in a ring around a central inner courtyard. The second floor houses training facilities, exhibition rooms and a restaurant. The ECA offices are grouped on the other levels and around the inner courtyard. In the plinth area and on the two floors above the public level, a striking external façade is designed in the form of offset trapezoidal surfaces that simulate a faceted structure. Plane glass façade bands on the second floor or towards the inner courtyard form a formal contrast. The façade surfaces are designed as mullion-transom façades with thermfix vario façade, glazing and door system elements from Forster. The focus here was on maximum security such as fire protection, smoke extraction, burglary protection and bullet resistance, depending on the area of the building.

The inner façade surfaces are clad with the forster fuego light system – also in the form of fire protection doors for the entrances within the office floors, to the stairwell and on the first floor as a transition to the inner courtyard. In addition to the glass shell, glass balustrades and walls complete the transparent and crystalline building concept on all sides.

Products:

Facades: forster thermfix vario E30 with RC3, FB3 or FB4
Doors: forster unico E30 with RC3 and FB3; forster fuego light El30 with RC3 and FB3
Sliding doors with escape route EN179 and glass joint EI30: forster fuego light

Manufacturer: Forster Profilsysteme AG, Arbon, Switzerland

forstersystems.com

For demanding construction projects, especially in the area of fire protection, specialist knowledge and tailor-made solutions are essential. Which basic planning elements are crucial for such projects and how can they be integrated into the planning at an early stage? What preventative steps are required? What organizational and technical facilities need to be provided and how can structural fire protection be optimized?

The new “Fire protection white paper” from Teckentrup deals with these aspects in detail. In addition to an explanation of standards and guidelines, practical examples are also given in which Teckentrup has successfully fulfilled fire protection requirements. Projects include the German Museum in Munich. Here, too, Teckentrup has demonstrated its expertise in fire protection. The building complex with over 66,000 square meters of exhibition space will be extensively renovated by 2028. During this time, numerous exhibits must remain in their rooms, and the stricter fire protection regulations required specialist knowledge when it came to modernizing the doors.

In the first construction phase, over 200 new steel doors from Teckentrup were installed for fire protection. Building in an existing building was the planning challenge; in addition, various structural conditions such as different existing walls and technical requirements had to be taken into account. Teckentrup mastered these challenges in collaboration with Teckentrup partner Jens Dunkel Glas- und Bauelemente GmbH.

Product: “Fire protection white paper” (free of charge)

Content: Basics and standards for fire protection door planning, escape and rescue routes, CE marking; practical examples of special buildings in detail

Manufacturer: Teckentrup GmbH & Co KG, Verl-Sürenheide

teckentrup.biz

The “ParkEntree” project in Schiedam, the Netherlands, is an exemplary residential concept for over-50s living together. Together with the residents, architects Inbo designed two buildings with a total of 89 apartments, 79 of which are ground-floor condominiums and ten rental apartments, spread over two courtyards. ParkEntree is part of the revitalization of the post-war Nieuwland district and also offers communal facilities such as two gardens, a clubhouse and a lounge. The light clinker brick façade plays a major role in the friendly appearance of the building complex: the architects chose the “Weimar HS” hand-struck clinker brick from Hagemeister, a light-colored yet robust brick that does not stain. Combined with the dark brown “Ruhrerde GT” brick with its iridescent silver-grey coal accents, the brickwork creates a lively façade appearance.

The façades are designed in relief with strong cornice sections that protrude up to 60 centimetres and lend them depth. The “Weimar HS” sorting used has a color spectrum ranging from cream white to sand yellow. The natural color nuances and shallow coal fire accents give the surface character, just as the imprints and conveyor marks from the production processes create a traditional hand-stroked look. As a contrast, the entrance areas of the terraced houses are accentuated with areas of the dark “Ruhrerde GT” clinker brick in dark brown to anthracite. With its many nuances, it also has a lively and tactile effect thanks to the coal firing.

The architecture of the ParkEntree thus matches the relaxed character of senior smart living.

Products: “Weimar HS” and “Ruhrerde GT”

Manufacturer: Hagemeister GmbH and Co. KG

Special feature: The hand-finished surface provides liveliness; strong cornice sections protruding from the façade give depth and structure.

hagemeister.de

In our B6 portfolio, we present new solutions and products for architects, including those from Solarlux and Agrob Buchtal.

13.01.2026

Architecture

Romans in architecture: Antiquity meets modern planning

Building design

people-walking-and-building-akOH2hDr2RE-on-the-burgersteig-in-the-nearby-of-trees — Urban scene with strollers and green avenue in Rome, photographed by Bells Mayer

Romans in architecture: antiquity meets modern planning? It sounds like a museum topic for Latin teachers and amateur historians, but it’s actually very topical – at least for architects who know that a Roman water pipe has more digital relevance than some BIM consultants would like. Roman architecture is not a nostalgia trip, but a lesson in sustainable technology, robust urban planning and visionary choice of materials. Anyone building, planning or developing cities today can learn more from the ancient Romans than from many an innovation agency. But what is really behind the myth of “Roman architecture”? And what does the renaissance of antiquity look like in the age of BIM, AI and sustainability certification?

Roman architecture is much more than columns and triumphal arches – it was a blueprint for functional, sustainable and resilient buildings.
In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, ancient techniques can be found in a surprising number of modern projects.
Digital tools such as BIM and AI make it possible to reanalyze and further develop Roman building principles.
Sustainability was not a buzzword for the Romans, but an engineering necessity – and provides valuable impetus today.
The examination of Roman architecture demands technical know-how and cultural maturity from today’s planners.
The debate surrounding the return of ancient principles is not free of criticism – there is a fierce debate between reconstruction, retro design and genuine innovation.
Global architectural trends such as cradle-to-cradle, urban mining and low-tech construction draw on Roman ideas.
The future lies in dialog: Antiquity meets algorithm, brick meets digital twin, city wall meets smart city.

Ancient architecture: foundation of modernity or museum relic?

Anyone walking through Cologne, Trier or Vienna today will stumble across Roman walls, amphitheatres and water pipes – often embedded in the modern cityscape, sometimes lovingly museumized, occasionally carelessly built over. But the influence of the Romans on architecture does not end with picturesque ruins. Rather, the civil engineers of antiquity worked with techniques, materials and urban structures that still occupy us today. Roman architecture was radically functional, uncompromising in its use of materials and – it has to be said – surprisingly sustainable. Roman concrete, for example, the famous opus caementicium, still holds up today where some of the exposed concrete of post-war modernism has long since crumbled. This is not folklore, but a tangible technological advantage that modern materials researchers are now trying to decipher using high-tech methods.

In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the study of Roman architecture is by no means a niche topic. From the reconstruction of entire city quarters in Augusta Raurica to the integration of Roman floor plans in current projects in Trier and experimental research into ancient mortar formulas at ETH Zurich – the dialog between antiquity and the present is alive and well. But it is more than mere imitation. Modern planners draw inspiration from the Romans for clever water management, intelligent traffic routing and durable material concepts. The Romans not only invented the wheel, they also integrated it properly into urban planning. What is sold today as “smart mobility” was part of everyday life in Rome – including car sharing, at least for horse-drawn carriages.

The question is: why is this even interesting? Quite simply because the challenges have remained the same. Scarcity of resources, climate change, urbanization, infrastructural resilience: all of these were already on the minds of the Baumeister of antiquity. Anyone who thinks that digital bells and whistles and green certificates have reinvented the wheel today should take a look at the Roman aqueducts. These are not only monuments in stone, but also data sources for the sustainable construction of tomorrow. You just have to be able to read them.

Of course, there are also skeptics. For many, Roman architecture is just a retro backdrop or a Disneyland aesthetic. But the truth is that behind the stone façades lies a systems thinking that comes surprisingly close to today’s digitalization. The Romans planned their cities as networks – with nodes, redundancies and feedback loops. Anyone who ignores this is missing the opportunity to learn from 2000 years of architectural history. And not for the next museum, but for the next smart city.

The conclusion of this section: Roman architecture is neither a dusty relic nor a mere source of inspiration for retro trends. It is a foundation, mirror and sometimes also a provocation for contemporary architecture. Anyone who dismisses it as museum folklore has already lost the game. Those who interpret it wisely can fundamentally shape the future of architecture.

Innovation through tradition: digital tools meet ancient principles

It sounds paradoxical: digitalization, of all things, has sharpened our view of Roman architecture. While in previous decades, ancient architecture was primarily deciphered by archaeologists, today it is BIM models, simulations and AI-supported analyses that make ancient structures, material structures and construction principles visible. Modern laser scans reveal how the Romans layered walls or constructed vaults. Digital twins of ancient buildings make it possible to simulate load scenarios, understand material fatigue or calculate the effect of earthquakes on the Pantheon. This is not an end in itself, but provides concrete impetus for modern building and infrastructure construction.

In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, cooperation between construction research, digitization experts and architecture firms is increasing. ETH Zurich, for example, is digitizing Roman buildings in order to derive new construction methods for sustainable bridges or domed structures. In Trier, digital models of Roman temples are being used to develop structural optimizations for current church buildings. And planners in Vienna are using simulation tools to test ancient city districts for their urbanity today. The interface between antiquity and algorithms has long been part of everyday business for innovative planners.

Of course, technology is not an end in itself. The decisive factor is how digital tools translate the findings of antiquity into practice. Anyone who only uses BIM models to render Roman columns is missing the point. It’s about understanding material cycles, extending life cycles and developing resource-saving constructions. The Romans were masters of upcycling – without any certificates. Their example shows: Digitalization makes sense when it combines tradition and innovation instead of playing them off against each other.

At the same time, the discourse is not free of criticism. The danger of trivialization is real: antiquity as a pure rendering gimmick, as “render porn” for Instagram and architecture faculties, doesn’t help anyone. It requires technical depth, a willingness to research and a willingness to engage with the original. Those who manage this can actually create innovation through tradition – and redefine building culture digitally.

The bottom line is that the combination of digital tools and ancient principles is not fashionable hype, but a necessary strategy for sustainable architecture. Anyone who ignores the potential of the Romans in the digital age is building past reality – in the truest sense of the word.

Sustainability: Roman architecture as a model and a challenge

Roman architecture was never an end in itself. It served one goal: to build cities that function, last and use resources efficiently. Sustainability was not a marketing slogan, but a question of survival. The Romans used locally available materials, planned buildings on a modular basis and focused on durability. Their mortar was not only robust, but also self-healing, and their water pipes could withstand thousands of years. Anyone talking about the circular economy, urban mining or low-tech construction today is not inventing anything new – they are building on Roman principles.

The challenges of the present are similar, and the solutions are often surprisingly Roman. In Switzerland, ancient quarrying methods are being rediscovered in order to build more sustainably. In Germany, Roman mortar recipes are being tested for restoration and new construction. In Austria, the layouts of Roman cities serve as a model for smart neighborhood developments that make optimal use of wind, water and sun. The highlight: Roman sustainability is always systemic – never as an individual measure, but as an integral part of urban planning.

Of course, this revival also has its limits. Ancient techniques cannot be transferred one-to-one. The Roman brick is no substitute for the passive house standard, and an aqueduct does not solve every urban infrastructure problem. But the principles are universal: durability, reparability, flexibility, contextual relevance. If you take this seriously, you can bring real sustainability into the 21st century with Roman ideas. But only if they take them further – with the latest technologies, digital planning and new materials.

There is also plenty of criticism. Some see the return to antiquity as an escape from technical innovation – a retreat into the historical because the present seems too complex. But the opposite is the case: anyone who takes Roman sustainability seriously today is facing up to the hardships of reality. After all, sustainable building does not mean doing without, but cleverly integrating old and new. This is exactly what antiquity teaches us – and this is exactly what we need in view of the climate crisis and lack of resources.

Conclusion: sustainability is not the exclusive domain of modernity. The Romans showed us how to achieve great things with limited resources. Those who understand the principle and combine it with digital know-how can create architecture that is truly sustainable – and not just for the certificate.

Job profiles and controversies: what remains of the Roman legacy?

The return of ancient principles to contemporary architecture is more than just an aesthetic trend. It is changing job profiles, demanding new technical knowledge and provoking debates about the core of building. Anyone working as an architect, civil engineer or urban planner today must not only know Roman architecture, but understand it. Material science, historical analysis, digital modeling and sustainable planning are merging into a new professional profile. The demands are increasing, the projects are becoming more complex – and looking back is becoming a driver of innovation.

But the debate is controversial. Some architects see the renaissance of ancient principles as a threat to their own creativity. They fear the banalization of building culture, the slide into pseudo-reconstruction and retro kitsch. Others celebrate antiquity as a universal reference, as an inexhaustible source of inspiration for sustainable and functional architecture. As is so often the case, the truth lies somewhere in between. It takes technical know-how, critical thinking and a willingness to combine the old and the new.

Another contentious issue: who decides how much antiquity is allowed in modern construction? The preservation authorities? The investor? The politicians? The answers differ in Germany, Austria and Switzerland – and the dispute over reconstruction, contemporary interpretation and cultural identity is far from over. But one thing is clear: the debate about Roman architecture is forcing the industry to ask itself fundamental questions. What is authentic? What makes sense? What is sustainable?

Roman heritage also plays a role in the global discourse. International architecture competitions, research projects and sustainable building initiatives draw on ancient principles – from China to California. The Romans have long been part of the global architectural debate, whether as a role model, a warning or a provocation. Anyone planning internationally today cannot ignore them.

To summarize: Roman architecture is not only part of our cultural heritage, but also an active driver of innovation, criticism and further development. It changes the industry, demands new skills and remains a touchstone for the quality of contemporary architecture.

Outlook: Antiquity and the future – dialog instead of dogma

Antiquity is not a dogma, but a dialog partner for the architecture of the future. Anyone building today cannot rest on the laurels of tradition or retro aesthetics. It is about understanding Roman principles, interpreting them digitally and developing them sustainably. The combination of ancient architecture and modern planning is not a contradiction – it is a necessity. Material research, digitalization, sustainability and cultural identity are merging to create a new understanding of architecture that combines the strengths of the past with the opportunities of the present.

The challenges are considerable. Climate change, scarcity of resources, urbanization, technical complexity – all of these call for new answers. The Romans do not provide ready-made solutions, but they do demonstrate principles that are relevant again today: Systemic thinking, robust constructions, flexible urban planning and sustainable materials. Those who supplement this with digital tools create architecture that lasts – not only aesthetically, but also functionally and ecologically.

Of course, the debate remains open. Anything is possible between reconstruction and innovation, between retro kitsch and radical reinterpretation. What is crucial is that the industry has the courage to engage in a dialog with antiquity – critically, technically sound and open to new ideas. Those who manage to do this can not only learn from history, but also continue it.

Germany, Austria and Switzerland are on the right track, even if there is still a lot of skepticism and uncertainty. Cooperation between research, practice and the digital economy offers opportunities to make productive use of the Roman legacy. The global architecture world is looking closely – and expects impulses, not quotes.

The bottom line is that the future of architecture is hybrid. Antiquity meets algorithms, knowledge meets tools, history meets innovation. Those who understand this not only build houses, but also write history – without sandals.

Conclusion: The Romans were the first real “Baumeisters”. Their legacy is not museum ballast, but a treasure trove of sustainable, digital and functional architecture. Anyone building today should listen to them – and contradict them where necessary. This is the only way to create architecture that not only endures, but also creates the future.

08.01.2025

Siemens Mobility: Upgrade for Montreal’s public transportation system

Building design

Upgrade for Montreal’s public transportation system: Siemens Mobility has been awarded the contract to manufacture and commission ten Charger locomotives.

Siemens Mobility has received an order from the Montreal transportation company Exo to develop, manufacture and commission ten Charger locomotives. This is the company’s second order for Charger locomotives in Canada. It will replace the older locomotives in the Exo fleet with a fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly locomotive. Read more here.

Siemens Mobility has been awarded a contract by Montreal’s Metropolitan Transportation Network Exo to design, manufacture and deliver ten new Charger locomotives. These environmentally friendly trains will replace older locomotives and ensure more sustainable public transportation in the Canadian city. Their modern technology will increase the availability of the trains.

This is the company’s second order for Charger locomotives in Canada. The trains meet the country’s strict Tier 4 emissions regulations. Charger locomotives are not only less CO2-intensive, but also quieter, which increases passenger comfort.

In addition to the manufacturing contract, Siemens Mobility has offered the option for a spare parts supply contract. “We are excited to partner with Exo and look forward to working with them to modernize their fleet with the latest sustainable and intelligent rail technology,” said Yves Desjardins-Siciliano, CEO of Siemens Mobility in Canada. “Our industry-leading locomotives will provide Exo and its passengers with a sustainable travel option as well as a pleasant, safe and reliable travel experience. This important project builds on our work to help Canadian cities improve their public transit infrastructure to meet growing transportation demand in a modern, safe and sustainable way.”

The Charger locomotives are known for their low fuel consumption. They can run on biodiesel and meet strict regulations, making them the “most sustainable passenger locomotive in the industry”, according to the company. The locomotives are characterized by a 95 percent reduction in particulate matter and an 89 percent reduction in emissions compared to Tier 0 locomotives.

In total, Siemens Mobility has ordered more than 300 Charger locomotives since 2010. 95 of these are currently in operation, making them the market leader in the Tier 4 locomotive segment. In addition to customers in Canada, there are also many interested parties in the United States. The states of California and Washington have already added Charger locomotives to their fleets.

The ultra-modern trains are powered by a 4,400 hp Cummins QSK95 diesel engine. They can travel at speeds of up to 125 miles per hour (201 km/h). The trains were also the first high-speed passenger locomotives to receive the Environmental Protection Agency’s Tier 4 emissions certification. This US Tier system is also used in Canada.

Siemens Mobility in Canada

Siemens Mobility has been supporting the Canadian transportation industry for more than 40 years. For example, the company has supplied light rail vehicles in Edmonton and Calgary as well as modern trains for VIA Rail. The company was also involved in the electrification of the Kitchener-Waterloo light rail system and the signaling and train control of the Trillium line in Ottawa.

Recently, Siemens Mobility Canada acquired the Canadian rail service provider RailTerm, adding nearly 200 employees to its growing team in the country. The company currently has 24 offices in Canada with more than 2,500 employees. About 700 of them work in Québec.

Siemens Mobility is a separately managed company from Siemens AG. It positions itself as a leading provider of transportation solutions with an innovative portfolio. Its core areas are rail vehicles, rail automation and electrification, turnkey systems and related services. Another focus is on intelligent infrastructure, which increases the sustainability of value creation, enhances passenger comfort and ensures availability. Environmentally friendly solutions are also part of the offering.

In fiscal year 2021, Siemens Mobility generated sales of €9.2 billion with almost 40,000 employees worldwide.

The Montreal exo-network

Montreal’s public transportation system, which also serves areas in the surrounding metropolitan area, is known as Exo or officially as Réseau de transport métropolitain, RTM. The agency was founded in June 2017 and has since grown to become the second largest public transit system in Canada after Toronto’s GO Transit. Exo focuses on commuter trains as well as city buses.

Exo’s trains and buses serve a population of approximately 4.1 million people with more than 750,000 daily trips. This includes the operation of commuter trains in Montreal. The data-driven company is positioning itself as part of Montreal’s smart city network. The order of ten Charger locomotives is part of Exo’s efforts to provide the best and most sustainable service for its customers.

Sources
https://www.globalrailwayreview.com/news/131718/siemens-mobility-provide-montreals-exo-fleet-with-sustainable-locomotives/
https://exo.quebec/en
https://financialpost.com/pmn/press-releases-pmn/business-wire-news-releases-pmn/siemens-mobility-to-modernize-montreals-exo-train-fleet-with-sustainable-locomotives
https://www.mobility.siemens.com/ca/en/company/newsroom/short-news/siemens-mobility-to-modernize-montreals-exo-train-fleet-with-sustainable-locomotives.html
https://assets.new.siemens.com/siemens/assets/api/uuid:d3613ee9-1d0d-43e9-aa9f-4d9e678d1ea3/factsheet-siemens-charger-loc-e.pdf

The area around Helsinki’s railroad station is to be redesigned. You can find out more about the winning design “Helsinki Railway Station” by Snøhetta here.