Architecture for cutting-edge research

Astrid Karr is manager and project coordinator at hammeskrause architekten in Stuttgart.

The international firm of architects has around 50 employees and plans projects in the area of education and cutting-edge research. The highly-specialised buildings are always unique and feature innovative spatial solutions for individual requirements and uses.

Complex challenges in the area of research facility construction

Precision measurements are carried out using quantum sensors at the Centre of Applied Quantum Technology (ZAQuant) of the University of Stuttgart.

These measurements must be conducted without being disrupted and must not be influenced by construction dynamics and electromagnetic interference. The building was therefore equipped with four special laboratory spaces. From a building design and aesthetic standpoint, these four test stations have conditions which are highly conducive to research.

To achieve the necessary high degree of stiffness and to satisfy the special requirements, the building has a solid construction consisting of concrete components. However, in this project electromagnetic interference had to be ruled out which meant that the standard approach of using reinforced concrete was not possible.

Furthermore, the state only grants a limited budget to clients for these kinds of subsidised projects which means they are subject to rigorous financial audits.

Combar® is the answer

Schöck Combar® is electromagnetically neutral and has the required structural characteristics, as documented in the technical approval. Furthermore, the glass fibre composite material costs less than other non-magnetisable materials such as carbon.

Owing to these characteristics, Combar® not only satisfies the special physical and design prerequisites, it is also fits into the limited budget framework and was therefore used as reinforcement for the rooms in which precision measurements were carried out.

Thanks to the special tried-and-tested characteristics of Combar®, many years of collaboration and generous technical support by Schöck, hammeskrause architekten were able to reliably and efficiently plan and execute the ZAQuant project.