A Penfriend on Rügen
Letter: Martin Hurtienne | Photos: Ingo Scheffler
The CEO of steel erection firm FLZ held his breath as the new steel-and-glass domed roof was delicately lowered into place on the historic marine navigation tower on Cape Arkona. There were strong winds, salty sea-air, a dome swinging around in front of the TV cameras and no prior experience to contend with. Do you recall our first joint project, Mr Hurtienne?
Dear Mr Inninger,
Dear Mr Vögele,
The time has now come, in November 2017, for me to write to you regarding our project-related business. As you celebrate the 25th anniversary of your company’s founding, you have asked me whether I recall our first joint project. The project – given that it involved placing the glass dome on the Cape Arkona tower on the island of Rügen – has always been one of our key corporate milestones, and one that helped secure our reputation in the region as a whole. The adventurous part was that we had no experience in the erection of mullion-and-transom curtain walls, and even less in dome construction. And it wasn’t just any old building; the navigation tower marks the northernmost point of the old GDR. It was clear to us that the harsh coastal climate, with its high winds, salt-laden air and exposure to sunlight, meant that we would later have to revise the already high costs somewhat, once the dome was in place. The outcome therefore had to be 100% correct.
We nowadays create steel-and-glass structures. Reference projects in Berlin alone include architect Daniel Libeskind’s Academy of the Jewish Museum and David Chipperfield’s New Berlin Museum. RAICO’s experience of supplying consultation services helped open up this segment of the market to us back to 1995, which was when we really learned how to use the RAICO system. Our designers, purchasing staff, workshop technicians and fitters were all involved. We held meetings with you that went on deep into the night, as your field reps discussed all the details with us. We were impressed by your willingness to send an employee to Rügen for several days to support a firm.
I can clearly remember the most exciting moment. We had bolted the dome’s steel structure together in our workshop and fitted the seals and glazing elements. Then we transferred it to an extra-wide low loader for its journey, complete with road diversions and police escort, to its destination on the Cape. When it arrived, a mobile crane lifted it onto the tower. The press and TV cameras watched as the dome swayed its way to the top. All I could do was hold my breath. We had already measured out and inserted the plugs to leave things ready for the direct attachment of the shell structure with its welded-on sole plates and holes. It was a perfect fit! We then had to wait several days before fitting the glass, as the weather was just too rough. We completed the glazing by night, under floodlights. What an adventure!
The navigation tower project helped to generate orders for us in the region. Our centre on the island of Rügen now employs a 60-strong workforce, and we continue to use the RAICO system regularly and to an even greater extent. It is an ingenious construction in my eyes; a design without any weak-points. A steel-and-glass curtain wall or roof is not a production-line item. We supply mainly special solutions. The RAICO system is what makes it possible to use the same structural elements again and again to meet new requirements and geometric specifications.
The key element for me is the sealing system, with its drainage and ventilation and the flexible design that allows the seals to be bonded and pressed to each other in several ways, before being combined with the various components on the screw channel.
One thing that struck me from the first moment was our shared passion for all technical things. This continues to be so, and I thank you accordingly. I also appreciate your approach involving the joint development of both standardised and special solutions.
I congratulate you on your anniversary, and wish you and your employees great present and future success with your innovative endeavours.
All the best from the island of Rügen,
Martin Hurtienne, CEO
FLZ Stahl- und Metallbau Lauterbach GmbH
