Refurbishment of Regensburg high-rise
Special feature
The 14-storey residential tower block built in 1967 at Alfons-Bayerer-Straße 2, Regensburg, was extensively refurbished and extended to improve its energy efficiency. The aim of the refurbishment was to increase living comfort and improve the energy efficiency of the building with modern solutions. The most important measures included the integration of a façade-integrated photovoltaic system and the fulfilment of new fire protection regulations, which required a second escape route. To this end, a new staircase was built and three additional residential units were created on each floor.
The innovative façade concept combines aesthetic design with sustainability. All façade components are designed in such a way that they can be easily dismantled and sorted at the end of their service life.
The majority of the façade consists of BEMO corrugated profiles, which ensure an efficient substructure. The metal panels were made from 92% recycled aluminium, which can be returned to the recycling cycle at the end of its service life. Around 770m² of the façade was realised with photovoltaic modules.
The undulating aluminium panels reflect light to create an exciting interplay of light and shadow, giving the façade a lively appearance depending on the time of day and weather conditions. Adjacent photovoltaic panels are kept in the same colour (champagne), while the reflection of the frosted and flat glass surfaces gives the opaque surfaces a complementary materiality.
This project, which was funded as part of a research project by the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy, represents an innovative approach to harmonising sustainable construction and aesthetic façade design. In future, tenants will also benefit from low-cost tenant electricity generated by the integrated photovoltaic system.
The project was awarded the ‘KlimaKulturKompetenz’ seal of approval. The ‘KlimaKulturKompetenz’ seal of approval is awarded in particular to sustainability programmes that strengthen ecological, economic and social skills. The project has also been nominated for the German Builder-Owner Award 2024 and the German Façade Award 2024 for VHF (FVHF).
The renovation of the residential tower block in Regensburg is a showcase example of how existing buildings can be upgraded both architecturally and in terms of energy efficiency using modern, sustainable façade solutions made of metal and photovoltaic technology.
This project epitomises innovative façade design that combines sustainability and modern design.