Historic gem in renewed splendour

Industrialist Richard Hartmann’s “Sächsische Maschinenfabrik” was once one of the leading locomotive manufacturers. Today, the former Hartmannfabrik, once one of the company’s production halls, has become a vibrant meeting place for culture, art and international exchange. With great attention to detail, the disused building underwent comprehensive revitalisation, transforming it into a modern visitor and information centre for Chemnitz 2025, European Capital of Culture. heroal aluminium system solutions help highlight the original character of the façade while meeting modern requirements for energy efficiency and fire protection.

The Hartmannfabrik in Chemnitz symbolises Saxony’s industrial heyday. In a central location on the banks of the River Chemnitz, mechanical engineer Richard Hartmann established one of the region’s largest mechanical engineering companies in the mid-19th century. With the delivery of the first steam locomotive to the Royal Saxon State Railways, he established himself as a major locomotive manufacturer. The hall now known as the Hartmannfabrik formed part of the production site.

As a prominent centrepiece of Chemnitz 2025 and one of a total of 30 infrastructure and urban development projects for the European Capital of Culture, the listed building was revitalised through a public-private partnership after standing vacant for many years. The aim of the project, which was also supported by public funding, was to preserve this monument to Chemnitz’s industrial heritage – a priority for NEXUS Immobilien GmbH, the client for the project: “The historic machine hall, dating from 1864, was carefully refurbished with great attention to detail and in close cooperation with the heritage conservation authorities. Once a place where a chapter of industrial history was written, the site is now home to a modern visitor and information centre for Chemnitz 2025. The distinctive sawtooth roofs, cast-iron columns and brick walls were retained and complemented by modern elements such as aluminium portals, mobile installations and sustainable materials. The result is an interplay of past and present that makes the Hartmannfabrik a vibrant place for culture, exchange and transformation.”

Taking the building physics requirements and the overall investment budget into account, the planning and implementation remained closely aligned with the original architectural concept. In addition to exposing the original cast-iron columns, the work included restoring the old crane runway and creating an open design for the gallery walkway using glass partitions. The existing structural damage proved a particular challenge. “This meant that much of the building fabric had to be removed and rebuilt while strictly preserving its original character,” explains Manuela Steinert, owner of Steinert Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH, who was responsible for the project as project manager. This affected, for example, the scraped-render finish of the façade surfaces, the surviving sections of the neo-Romanesque round-arched frieze and the frieze edge on the west façade. Preserving and restoring the historic visual character went hand in hand with meeting modern requirements for energy efficiency, accessibility and burglary resistance. The open-plan hall design also meant that strict fire protection criteria had to be met.

Alongside the essential requirements of modern construction, meeting the highest design standards was a top priority. NEXUS Immobilien GmbH’s stated aim was to restore the façade’s original harmony. It also specified binding requirements for the window, door and curtain wall systems, including an industrial aesthetic and curved elements on the south façade. In keeping with the high standards of quality and durability, heroal aluminium systems were chosen for the curtain walls, windows and internal and external entrance doors. In total, the scope of supply comprised three heroal C 50 HI curtain wall systems, nine heroal D 72 commercial door systems, 20 heroal W 72 CW window systems, 41 heroal W 72 i window systems and one heroal W 72 window system. In addition, 25 heroal D 82 FP fire protection door systems are used inside the building.

The heroal system portfolio gave NEXUS Immobilien GmbH all the options it needed to carry out the revitalisation while remaining faithful to the original design. From the planning phase onwards, NEXUS Immobilien GmbH benefited from extensive advice from heroal’s architectural consulting service, which supported the implementation of the project in close coordination with Chemnitz-based main contractor Gunter Hüttner + Co. GmbH Bauunternehmung and the specialist partner carrying out the work, Schreinerei & Metallbau Wagner of Niederwürschnitz. To preserve the authentic appearance, one of the decisions was to apply a matt RAL 7010 Tarpaulin Grey coating to all heroal system solutions. This finish was achieved using the industry-leading heroal hwr powder coating, which delivers high-quality, highly weather-resistant surfaces in an exceptionally wide range of colours and finishes.

On the south façade of the Hartmannfabrik, the heroal C 50 HI curtain wall system demonstrates its strengths both functionally and aesthetically. With conventional triple insulating glazing, it achieves outstanding energy efficiency and allows sustainable curtain wall solutions to be implemented even in areas with high insulation requirements. The innovative concept with foam-filled insulators, adapted insulator function and a continuous seal makes a significant contribution to the building’s heat insulation. Architecturally, the highly insulated curtain wall system makes a statement in its own right. Designed with an industrial aesthetic, it revives the original character of the façade and is defined by its striking clean lines.

The heroal D 72 commercial door systems are integrated discreetly into the three curtain wall elements, underlining the understated elegance of the façade. Alongside their design advantages, the door systems, which are designed as insert elements, also offer functional benefits: thanks to their modular system design and different insulation variants, they can be flexibly adapted to meet the heat insulation requirements of individual building projects and enhance the energy efficiency and overall value of the building. Another advantage for the Hartmannfabrik project was the ability to tailor the performance characteristics precisely to the specific building project: the two external door systems were implemented as certified emergency exits and escape routes (in accordance with DIN EN 179/1125), providing a solution with lasting functional reliability for the Hartmannfabrik’s high-traffic entrance area. For a consistent appearance, the heroal D 72 commercial door system was also installed at the entrances on the west and east façades.

The design of the west façade forms a visually coherent whole with the entrance on the south façade. All of the windows there were replaced using heroal system solutions. The position and number of the transoms dividing the glazing and the Viennese glazing bars were coordinated with the heritage conservation authority. On the ground floor, the heroal W 72 CW window system, with its mullion-transom configuration and steel effect, offered a design solution with industrial flair that perfectly matched the owner’s wishes. With its different profile variants and steel effect, the heroal W 72 CW is an attractive alternative to a conventional steel curtain wall. At the Hartmannfabrik, the lower sections of the windows were designed as two-casement elements, while the upper sections feature fixed glazing with Viennese glazing bars and round arches. On the west side, a particularly large window element creates a striking architectural accent, standing out from the ensemble as a visual counterpoint.

The curved window and curtain wall elements were produced in compliance with heritage conservation requirements thanks to heroal’s in-house profile bending and folding service, which is unique in the industry. The service can produce complex shapes such as round, segmental and basket arches, as well as precise, reproducible folds and building connections based on templates. State-of-the-art production processes guarantee the high level of system reliability and quality for which heroal is known. On both the south and west sides of the Hartmannfabrik, the curved elements shape the façade of this striking building and help preserve its original character.

The clean lines and industrial aesthetic of the elements are consistently carried through on the other two façades. Light-filled interiors dominate the river-facing east side of the Hartmannfabrik. On the ground floor, eleven large-format heroal W 72 CW window systems with slim face widths provide maximum transparency, high light transmittance and an elegant design. They are combined with one large-format heroal W 72 window system on the ground floor and 15 heroal W 72 i block window system elements on the upper floor. The north side of the Hartmannfabrik, where a total of 13 heroal W 72 i window systems are installed, is likewise characterised by an exceptionally clean-lined appearance.

Inside the building, heroal system solutions also make a valuable contribution to the revitalisation of the industrial monument. There, 25 heroal D 82 FP fire protection door systems divide the interior into safe fire compartments and prevent the spread of smoke and fire. The door system offers excellent structural stability and is particularly suitable for high-traffic areas. By consistently separating the cooling zone from the functional track, the 5-chamber profile system ensures lasting application and functional reliability. Visually, the elements blend seamlessly with the heroal systems installed throughout the project, creating a cohesive aesthetic.

Since reopening in May 2024, the Hartmannfabrik has regained its former lustre. The visitor and information centre for Chemnitz 2025, European Capital of Culture, has now become a central hub for residents and visitors to the city. Under the direction of Chemnitz 2025 gGmbH, which also organised the programme and projects relating to the European Capital of Culture, the Hartmannfabrik opens regularly for events and can be hired as a unique venue for networking, events and exhibitions. The industrial architecture and special history of the site provide a distinctive setting for events, with heroal system solutions making a valuable contribution.