Formwork for the perfect facade

Photo: Westag & Getalit AG

The new headquarters of French oil corporation Total is being constructed behind Berlin Main Station

Photo: Westag & Getalit AG

Photos (2): Westag & Getalit AG

The slender, slightly bent high-rise building is dominated by its facade, which consists of a three-dimensional curtain walling composed of filigree precast concrete panels

Photos (2): Westag & Getalit AG

450 of the almost 1,395 elements were prefabricated within an eight-week period until the beginning of August 2011, and put to weather-protected interim storage at the factory premises. Magnoplan DUO 360 formwork panels were used

Photos (2): Westag & Getalit AG

Photo: Westag & Getalit AG

The final acid treatment of the surface lends a marble-like elegance to the texture composed of white cement and quartz pebbles

Photo: Westag & Getalit AG

On the basis of the design proposed by award-winning architects Barkow Leibinger, the „Tour Total“ office building is being constructed behind Berlin Main Station. This high-rise structure is dominated by its facade. The production of the corresponding precast elements required particularly demanding formwork specifications.

On the basis of the design proposed by award-winning architects Barkow Leibinger, the “Tour Total” office building, a development managed by CA Immo, is being constructed behind Berlin Main Station. The new German headquarters of French oil corporation Total will be the first building block of the so-called “Europacity” development area. This slender, slightly bent high-rise building is dominated by its facade, which consists of a three-dimensional curtain walling composed of filigree precast concrete panels. The façade’s formal language and some of its design details are reminiscent of the...