The ALPHATON® tile is a ceramic module designed and patented by MOEDING, a German company dedicated to the development of ceramic facade systems. The LVA Ventspils music school in Latvia applies customized pieces of the ALPHATON® tile on the cover of its facade.
The building is part of a redevelopment strategy for the city center of Lielais Laukumus, and so, it connects to the rest of the area with green public spaces, walkways, and a plaza that receives students and visitors, clad in dark, glazed ALPHATON® tiles.
The music school has an array of classrooms and performance spaces, libraries, and basic services for the students, with specialized insulation for music rooms.
The facade was planned and designed in collaboration with the specialists from MOEDING, to achieve the unique pieces glazed in a Vulcano gray color that becomes almost white in the shade, and seems golden when lit with sunlight. This effect was the result of the combination of new effect glazing and peeled surface texturing, which gives the ALPHATON® tiles a wooden feel and look. A subcomponent of the ceramic tile structure is also present in front of the windows, as shading.
| |
| Glazed Vulcano Gray ALPHATON® tile, 150450 |
The ALPHATON® brick, introduced to the market by MOEDING in 2001, is a rectangular tile meant for uniform facade coverage.
The facade system offers:
- long-lasting materials
- natural resources
- efficient production
- economical development through fast and efficient installation
- high individuality due to large design option potential
- energy efficient
- low maintenance
The extruded ALPHATON® brick slabs are made from predominantly native clays and are fully colored. Due to the very high firing temperatures and the long firing time, intensive colors and the best strength values are achieved. The brick slabs are double-shelled and 30 mm thick. The breaking loads of ALPHATON® panels are many times higher than those of single-skin panels. The tiles are resistant to weather stressors and their structure can be adapted for diverse climates, to facilitate ventilation or insulation as needed.
| Architects | Haas Cook Zemmrich STUDIO2050 |
| Design team | Local Partner Architect Studio MSV – Riga / Latvia Structural Engineer Schlaich, Bergermann & Partner – Stuttgart Climate / Energy / Mechanical Services Transsolar Climate Engineering - Stuttgart Energy Consultant / Building Physics SIA Arche - Riga / Latvia Electrical Engineering SIA FIMA / SIA KELLME - Riga / Latvia Architectural Lighting LDE Belzner Holmes - Stuttgart Stage Engineering DTP Theater stage technology – Dresden Stage Lighting / Sound SIA Audio AE – Riga / Latvia Fire Engineering SIA Glamma – Riga / Latvia Water / Drainage Engineering SIA IP – Ventspils / Latvia |
| Year | 2015 |
| Photographs | Adam Mørk |
| Manufacturers | MOEDING |
| Products used in this project | ALPHATON® |
| Location | Ventspils, Latvia |
