#84

New interior splendour emanates outwards

12 February 2023

Perforated sheet gives the former power plant its modern façade

"SachsenEnergie injects energy into Saxony" is the slogan of the company formed at the beginning of 2021 through the amalgamation of the energy providers ENSO and DREWAG. DREWAG - which is known simply by the name "Stadtwerke" (public works) by the people in Dresden and the surrounding area - remains as a brand and continues to operate its own waterworks, wind farms and photovoltaic systems. For a long time the "Kraftwerk Mitte" was the major centre of Dresden's electricity and district heating generation, until the location was no longer able to meet the current requirements. The Dresden city council decided to convert it into a creative location and spent a great deal of money in the process: 100 million euros was invested in the cultural site "Kraftwerk Mitte" and the surrounding buildings. MEVACO perforated sheet played an important role in the successful redesign of the impressive power plant from the 19th century.

Perforated sheet
round perforations in staggered pitches 30-40
Aluminium
3.0 mm

The job: To restore the façade while preserving its historic appearance - with perforated sheet

Dresden can rejoice! Industrial monuments are not always preserved and converted into innovative sites of art and culture. Fortunately this was not the case for Kraftwerk Mitte, a steel frame construction covered in red brick. Since 1949 many cultural institutions in the city have eked out a rather miserable existence in their post-war temporary measures. But this was to change now, according to the unanimous view of the Dresden city council in 2010. The emerging creative industry was also to receive a suitable location in order to encourage creative companies to stay in the area and flourish locally. But it would be some time before the Stuttgart-based construction company Züblin could start the project in 2013 of converting the old power station and preserving the façade.

MEVACO as a long-term and reliable partner of the trade

Kattner Stahlbau GmbH from Oschatz was assigned the task - "a typical medium-sized company", as employee Erik Klumpp is happy to confirm, which can be translated as: innovative, technically versed and reliable. In that context, it is fitting that MEVACO is also committed to the same attributes. "Yes, MEVACO is therefore also a long-term partner", says Erik Klumpp. "This is why we always look at what is required, what MEVACO can offer us, and then bring everything in line." Technical devices are hidden behind MEVACO perforated sheet What worked extremely well at Kraftwerk Mitte: It was necessary to hide all sorts of large supply lines and various technical devices, but at the same time keep the flair of the old industrial building. MEVACO was able to offer the right perforated sheet for this and Kattner Stahlbau brought everything in line - so far, so good. But was the entire project as simple as it sounds? Erik Klumpp laughs: "There were a few technical challenges along the way; otherwise, there would have been no fun in the project. It was important that the perforated sheets blend with the steel construction underneath. The details for the mounting were quite an affair, we also had to observe the static requirements. There was also the stipulation that the technical devices at the emergency stairway get enough air." Which of course also speaks in favour of MEVACO perforated sheet.

Mounting of the MEVACO perforated sheets on internal frame

Kattner Stahlbau GmbH can rely on a modern fleet of machines and vehicles on its 10,600 square metre premises, as well as highly qualified staff. An in-house engineering department rounds off what the company has to offer. For the redesign of "Kraftwerk Mitte" a total of 368 m² of MEVACO perforated sheet was installed at the emergency stairway, 125 m² at the elevator tower and 78 m² at the visitor elevator. The tradesmen trimmed the perforated sheets in order to screw them onto the internal frame with inner flat bars. This resulted in a flat surface, which covers the largest part, but still gives the desired reference to the technical details behind it.

MEVACO perforated sheets in industrial design

Architect Jörg Friedrich decided to use colour to preserve the impression of the old industrial site. "Inspired by rust protection paint and the quality that preserves Corten steel after a certain time", says Eric Klumpp, "the MEVACO perforated sheet got its coating." The conversion and renovation work dragged on for several years until the entire area was officially opened in 2016. A lot of celebrities from culture and politics were there for the reopening of Kraftwerk Mitte - no longer as a centre for power and district heating generation, but as a centre of culture and art. Anyone who enters this truly special site in the Wilsdruff suburb between Bahnhof Mitte and the World Trade Center Dresden, immediately notices the successful MEVACO perforated sheet façade, which gives the necessary pinch of lightness to the mighty industrial building - and lives up to the slogan of SachsenEnergie in a very special way: The new energy of culture can be enjoyed here!

Perforated sheet gives the former power plant its modern façade

"SachsenEnergie injects energy into Saxony" is the slogan of the company formed at the beginning of 2021 through the amalgamation of the energy providers ENSO and DREWAG. DREWAG - which is known simply by the name "Stadtwerke" (public works) by the people in Dresden and the surrounding area - remains as a brand and continues to operate its own waterworks, wind farms and photovoltaic systems. For a long time the "Kraftwerk Mitte" was the major centre of Dresden's electricity and district heating generation, until the location was no longer able to meet the current requirements. The Dresden city council decided to convert it into a creative location and spent a great deal of money in the process: 100 million euros was invested in the cultural site "Kraftwerk Mitte" and the surrounding buildings. MEVACO perforated sheet played an important role in the successful redesign of the impressive power plant from the 19th century.

Perforated sheet
round perforations in staggered pitches 30-40
Aluminium
3.0 mm

The job: To restore the façade while preserving its historic appearance - with perforated sheet

Dresden can rejoice! Industrial monuments are not always preserved and converted into innovative sites of art and culture. Fortunately this was not the case for Kraftwerk Mitte, a steel frame construction covered in red brick. Since 1949 many cultural institutions in the city have eked out a rather miserable existence in their post-war temporary measures. But this was to change now, according to the unanimous view of the Dresden city council in 2010. The emerging creative industry was also to receive a suitable location in order to encourage creative companies to stay in the area and flourish locally. But it would be some time before the Stuttgart-based construction company Züblin could start the project in 2013 of converting the old power station and preserving the façade.

MEVACO as a long-term and reliable partner of the trade

Kattner Stahlbau GmbH from Oschatz was assigned the task - "a typical medium-sized company", as employee Erik Klumpp is happy to confirm, which can be translated as: innovative, technically versed and reliable. In that context, it is fitting that MEVACO is also committed to the same attributes. "Yes, MEVACO is therefore also a long-term partner", says Erik Klumpp. "This is why we always look at what is required, what MEVACO can offer us, and then bring everything in line." Technical devices are hidden behind MEVACO perforated sheet What worked extremely well at Kraftwerk Mitte: It was necessary to hide all sorts of large supply lines and various technical devices, but at the same time keep the flair of the old industrial building. MEVACO was able to offer the right perforated sheet for this and Kattner Stahlbau brought everything in line - so far, so good. But was the entire project as simple as it sounds? Erik Klumpp laughs: "There were a few technical challenges along the way; otherwise, there would have been no fun in the project. It was important that the perforated sheets blend with the steel construction underneath. The details for the mounting were quite an affair, we also had to observe the static requirements. There was also the stipulation that the technical devices at the emergency stairway get enough air." Which of course also speaks in favour of MEVACO perforated sheet.

Mounting of the MEVACO perforated sheets on internal frame

Kattner Stahlbau GmbH can rely on a modern fleet of machines and vehicles on its 10,600 square metre premises, as well as highly qualified staff. An in-house engineering department rounds off what the company has to offer. For the redesign of "Kraftwerk Mitte" a total of 368 m² of MEVACO perforated sheet was installed at the emergency stairway, 125 m² at the elevator tower and 78 m² at the visitor elevator. The tradesmen trimmed the perforated sheets in order to screw them onto the internal frame with inner flat bars. This resulted in a flat surface, which covers the largest part, but still gives the desired reference to the technical details behind it.

MEVACO perforated sheets in industrial design

Architect Jörg Friedrich decided to use colour to preserve the impression of the old industrial site. "Inspired by rust protection paint and the quality that preserves Corten steel after a certain time", says Eric Klumpp, "the MEVACO perforated sheet got its coating." The conversion and renovation work dragged on for several years until the entire area was officially opened in 2016. A lot of celebrities from culture and politics were there for the reopening of Kraftwerk Mitte - no longer as a centre for power and district heating generation, but as a centre of culture and art. Anyone who enters this truly special site in the Wilsdruff suburb between Bahnhof Mitte and the World Trade Center Dresden, immediately notices the successful MEVACO perforated sheet façade, which gives the necessary pinch of lightness to the mighty industrial building - and lives up to the slogan of SachsenEnergie in a very special way: The new energy of culture can be enjoyed here!