The highest art of drywall construction – Rigips Trophy
Congress Center Messe Frankfurt: 18-meter-high folding wall combines harmonious aesthetics, audibly excellent room acoustics and a high level of comfort
As part of the revitalisation of the Congress Center at Messe Frankfurt, Baierl & Demmelhuber Innenausbau GmbH was responsible for the complete technical and planning implementation of the architectural design. The greatest challenge was designing the complexly shaped wall, which is up to 18 metres high, encompasses both the entrance hall and the presentation areas, and spans three floors. The unique geometry of the folding wall, equipped with LED light points, gives the space its distinctive aesthetic, ensuring pleasant room acoustics and an enjoyable visitor experience. From the outset, the client's central requirement was clear: perfect surfaces! The drywall professionals responded by delivering a flawless Q4-quality surface finish. The team also demonstrated exceptional craftsmanship in creating the round, seemingly floating reception counter, which has since won the German Design Award. In recognition of these achievements, the professionals at Baierl & Demmelhuber were awarded third place in the Rigips Trophy 2021 | 2023.
The newly redesigned Congress Centre at Messe Frankfurt. The largest and most flexible congress centre in Frankfurt, it can accommodate up to 3,400 guests and is directly connected to all exhibition halls on the grounds. It is also only a ten-minute walk from the main train station. Photos: Stefan Durstewitz
The newly redesigned Congress Center at Messe Frankfurt is modern, bright and almost futuristic. The largest and most flexible congress centre in Frankfurt, it can accommodate up to 3,400 guests and is directly connected to all exhibition halls on the grounds. It is also only a ten-minute walk from the main train station. Its well-thought-out concept across four levels offers plenty of space for successful business events and caters to the needs of discerning organisers.
The new wall design in the entrance hall and presentation areas showcases the highest level of drywall craftsmanship. The 18-metre-high, intricately shaped folding elements connect the entrances to the conference rooms, open-plan spaces, and technical features such as exhaust shafts and smoke curtains, creating a harmonious whole. The folding wall is equipped with LED lights, giving the space a unique aesthetic and brightening the room while ensuring pleasant room acoustics.
The new wall design in the entrance hall and presentation areas showcases the highest level of drywall craftsmanship. Complexly shaped folding elements bring together the entrances to the conference rooms and open floors with technical elements such as exhaust shafts and smoke curtains to create a harmonious whole. The folding wall is equipped with LED lights, giving the space a unique aesthetic and brightening the room while ensuring pleasant room acoustics. Photos: Stefan Durstewitz
“The greatest challenge of the entire construction project”
“The execution of the folding wall presented the greatest challenge of the entire construction project for us. This also included implementing the “floating” reception counter, which was awarded the German Design Award, refurbishing the marble floor throughout the foyer and redesigning the cloakrooms, bar counters and sanitary facilities“, explains Mario Prgomet, who took over project management for Baierl & Demmelhuber together with Alexander Kaiser. “As the basis for the technical implementation of the wall, we used the execution plans with sections and details from the planning office. Our task was primarily to find constructive and static solutions and realise them. Additionally, the time frame for the individual project steps and assembly was very tight.”
Initially, the Baierl & Demmelhuber planning team took precise measurements of the work areas and set reference points for subsequent work. “Based on these measurements and in coordination with our partner RIGIPS, our technical team and an external office carried out the entire planning and calculation of the statics. The folding elements, which spanned up to three floors, were divided into segments of up to three metres in height. This allowed us to execute the wall construction as a free-standing facing shell later on. Following the extraction tests, we arranged the heavy-duty brackets.”
The exceptional skill of the team at Baierl & Demmelhuber Innenausbau GmbH was also evident in their implementation of the round, seemingly floating reception counter, which has since won the German Design Award. Photo left: Stefan Durstewitz
Work in the entrance hall was carried out at heights of up to 18 metres. Photo right: Baierl & Demmelhuber
Prefabrication of folding elements, contours and steel bases
Following approval by the architect, the construction professionals began prefabricating the individual components in their workshop. "In the metalworking shop, the contours of the folding elements were cut from galvanised steel sheets using a water jet cutting machine. To ensure quick and smooth assembly, the installation position was simultaneously engraved onto each element”, says Mario Prgomet. The steel bases were marked with "front edge of substructure" or "installation position" before powder coating. All folds were planned using CAD software and prefabricated from Rigips construction boards RB 12.5. They were then labelled and colour-coded in the assembly plan. The cladding in the area of the exhaust shaft was an exception – here, the folding elements were made from Rigitone perforated boards without a rear fleece. Approximately 4,500 m² of cardboard-coated Rigips construction boards, according to DIN EN 520 Type A with a closed surface, were used for the folding wall. “The gypsum board is ideal for constructing wall or ceiling systems. After completing the prefabrication of all components, the entire construction, including the position of all brackets, was digitally measured on-site.”
Four steps to a folding wall with outstanding surface quality
A total of four steps were required to complete the partially 18-metre-high folding wall. First, the steel sheet wall brackets and folding contours had to be mounted. Next, the construction professionals created the substructure for the folding segments, each of which was up to three metres high. This was constructed as a free-standing facing shell using RigiProfil MultiTec UW (75 mm) and RigiProfil MultiTec CW 125 (75 mm). RigiProfil MultiTec is a high-performance system profile made of galvanised steel sheet with a unique surface structure. It offers numerous advantages during processing and provides 4 dB higher sound insulation than standard constructions. In total, approximately 5,000 metres of RigiProfiles were processed.
The central challenge during the subsequent assembly of the folding elements was to realise them without interrupting the folding process, i.e. to ensure a completely continuous edge. "The moulded parts were planned and arranged so that the inner or outer edges would not be interrupted, even across multiple floors. This required precise execution at every stage of the process", explains Mario Prgomet. Additionally, a recess for a smoke protection curtain was incorporated into the folding wall.
Particular attention had to be paid to the incidence of light from the base lighting during the execution of the folding elements in the area of the exhaust shaft, made from perforated boards without a rear fleece. Photos top row: Baierl & Demmelhuber, photos bottom row: Stefan Durstewitz
Joint filling
The client's visual requirements were clear: they wanted an aesthetically pleasing wall design with perfect surfaces. “That was a real challenge“, recalls Mario Prgomet. “Because under the local lighting conditions, with both natural and artificial light, even the slightest imperfection would have been visible.”
The joint was filled with Rigips ProMix Finish, a ready-to-use filler that is particularly smooth and fine with a high degree of whiteness, as well as excellent smoothing and adhesion properties. The filler was applied evenly and thoroughly in three steps. "For the first two passes, we opted for a spray method using a standard airless device with a fine nozzle to apply the filler evenly and thoroughly. For the final stage, the filler was applied manually. This combination of mechanical and manual joint filling ensured the desired surface quality. Sanding was also done both mechanically and by hand with 180-grit sandpaper.”
The verdict of the expert jury
The result was an exceptional Q4 surface quality that satisfied both the construction team and the client. The expert jury of the Rigips Trophy was immediately impressed by the way in which the drywall work shapes the spatial experience in the modernised Congress Center at Messe Frankfurt. The masterful use of complex folded components and exceptional surface finishes highlights the expertise of Baierl & Demmelhuber Innenausbau GmbH. The functional improvement of room acoustics went hand in hand with the visual enhancement of the large entrance hall.
Construction Details:
Client: Messe Frankfurt Venue GmbH, Frankfurt
Planning/Interior Design: Ippolito Fleitz Group GmbH, Stuttgart
Drywall: Baierl & Demmelhuber Innenausbau GmbH, Töging
Rigips Regional Manager: Claas Loskamp, SAINT-GOBAIN RIGIPS GmbH
SAINT-GOBAIN RIGIPS GMBH
RIGIPS. You have the solution for everything. #RigipsForEverything
Recognised as a system provider of high-quality drywall solutions by construction professionals, RIGIPS offers a wide range of gypsum and speciality boards, Rigidur gypsum fibreboards, profiles and accessories, as well as high-performance joint fillers and compounds. The tested solutions prove their worth in interior and exterior drywall constructions. Particularly, the system offerings for weather-protected façade constructions make RIGIPS the ideal partner for timber frame construction. With its continually expanding range of healthy-living products and highly effective fire and soundproofing systems, the manufacturer stands for maximum safety and comfort. The comprehensive product and system portfolio is complemented by a wide range of services and personalised expert advice, providing valuable support in the planning and execution of even the most demanding construction projects. At the same time, RIGIPS is committed to environmental responsibility, focusing on sustainable climate protection and the conservation of natural resources. For instance, gypsum board recycling options increasingly close material cycles, while product packaging made from recycled materials reduces the need for primary raw materials. RIGIPS has repeatedly been recognised as a "Brand of the Century" and is one of the most significant brands for modern drywall solutions in the German market. The company is part of the international Saint-Gobain Group. In a nutshell: RIGIPS – building better for people and the environment.
ABOUT SAINT-GOBAIN
As a global leader in sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain develops, produces and distributes materials and services for the construction sector and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for renovating public and private buildings, lightweight construction, and decarbonising the construction sector and industry are developed through continuous innovation. These solutions offer sustainability and performance. The Saint-Gobain Group and all its brands are driven by the shared purpose of "MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME".
€47.9 billion in revenue in 2023
More than 160,000 employees, represented in 76 countries
Committed to achieving global CO2 neutrality by 2050
Find out more about Saint-Gobain at www.saint-gobain.de and follow us on
LinkedIn Saint-Gobain Germany.
Editorial contact:
baumarketing.com GmbH
Christoph Tauschwitz
Laubenweg 13
D-45149 Essen
Tel.: +49 201 2202 400
Fax: +49 201 2202 460
[email protected]