As part of a site visit in Magdeburg, female students from the Ostwestfalen-Lippe University of Applied Sciences visited the bk Group AG construction project for KIND hearing aids. Under the supervision of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Uta Pottgiesser, seven female students from the interior design department were able to gain an insight into the working world of architects.
All students are working on the thesis “KIND Future Store”. The aim is to develop future-oriented and sustainable concept ideas for Kind. This includes the look & feel, lighting scenarios and color schemes.
Special requirements for sound insulation
Bk Group AG architect Dietmar Brandt and project manager Gerhard Beck explained the extensive implementation planning to the students on site. They showed the KIND standard details and were able to answer questions immediately.
Of particular interest to the students were the technical requirements for sound and fire protection. This is a topic of enormous importance, especially in hearing studios. After completion, a prequalification body carries out a sound measurement and insonifies the studio door from the outside with 80 dB. Inside, a maximum of 40 dB is allowed. The bk Group AG passes this test for all hearing studios built.
Wall painting under monument protection
The visit of an employee of the lower monument protection authority completed the inspection. She explained not only the urban development history but also that of the store itself. An old wall painting was discovered in the former flower store, which is classified as worthy of preservation under monument protection law. Therefore, the wall must not be damaged.
Architects must be able to deal with such unexpected circumstances. In the case of the KIND studio in Magdeburg, bk Group AG stretched a cantilever construction between the ceiling and the floor to protect the painting.
Exchange between university and company
The students’ visit illustrates the importance of exchange between universities and companies. Our thanks go both to Ansgar Hellmich, Head of Shopfitting at KIND, and to Prof. Dr.-Ing. Uta Pottgiesser from the Detmold School of Architecture and Interior Design.
