According to Horst Walther, managing partner of WPC manufacturer NATURinFORM GmbH, Redwitz ad Rodach, terrace decks made of high-quality wood-polymer composites (WPC) are becoming increasingly popular, not only in the private sector. Municipalities and companies are also increasingly opting for the innovative material when planning communal or corporate outdoor areas. PUMA, one of the world's leading sports and lifestyle companies, is the best proof of this. It was primarily the environmentally friendly and cost-effective product profile that ultimately tipped the scales in favor of WPC for the design of the large roof terraces, confirmed Dipl.-Ing. Architect Harry Huk, project manager for the newly constructed PUMA Vision Headquarters in Herzogenaurach.

The spacious building complex on the outskirts of the "secret capital of sports" includes an administrative center, the world's largest PUMA Factory Outlet Store, visually inspired by a red PUMA shoebox, and the architecturally remarkable Brand Center. The Brand Center, which houses PUMA's innovative sport-lifestyle collections in a total of five showrooms, also includes a multimedia hall that can accommodate 1,500 people for presentations and events. With the projecting arch of the building, the designer, architect Klaus Krex of da capo al fine Architekten Nürnberg, cited the PUMA Formstrip: On the outside, the arch replicates PUMA's characteristic trademark. On the inside, the arch is used as a grandstand with ascending rows of seats. The three buildings are arranged in a U-shape around a large, tiered inner courtyard. The headquarters is called "PUMA Vision Headquarters" because PUMA's sustainability concept, PUMA Vision, served as the benchmark for the complex's design. Ecological considerations were a top priority in the implementation of the new building, including concrete core temperature control, photovoltaics and solar collectors, and rainwater harvesting. It's therefore not surprising that the wood-based panel (WPC) was also integrated into the concept due to its environmentally friendly properties.

Attractive accents

Four terrace decks with a total area of approximately 200 m2 form the outdoor area on the executive floor as well as the Brand Center's expansive roof terrace. Behind the large glass facade is the restaurant for employees and guests. The large glass doors lead out onto a 4 m wide and 12 m long terrace deck, positioned on large-format stone paving. "Our goal was to design this outdoor area to be interesting for employees and the public and to coordinate it with the overall color scheme," emphasizes the project manager.

A variety of gray tones dominate – from the glass façade and steel girders to the aluminum details and stainless steel railings. The anthracite WPC decking fits seamlessly into this color scheme. With its profiled, wood-look surface, it also sets attractive accents against the light stone paving – always within sight of the bright red outdoor cube. However, key product properties also had to be ensured for the heavily frequented outdoor area – such as solidity, long-lasting weather resistance, ease of maintenance (no painting or oiling required), and cost-effectiveness. "That's why we chose decking from NATURinFORM – a renowned manufacturer from the region," says Harry Huk.

laying

Thomas Schroll, master carpenter and owner of Ars vivendi – Wohnkultur GmbH, Schwabach, was responsible for installing the decking panels. He already had positive experience working with this material. "Unlike wood, especially with long WPC decking, there are no tensions that can lead to dreaded tears and warping. Installation is quick and easy. These advantages were particularly evident with the 12-meter decking used in the PUMA patio decks." A total of more than 1,400 linear meters of "Die Geliebte" decking in anthracite were installed, supplied by the building materials specialist Baustoff-Union GmbH, Nuremberg.

To economically achieve the covering length of typically 12 meters, Schroll used a new connecting element from the manufacturer. This allows for the seamless connection of planks in standard lengths and ensures faster installation while maintaining the same functionality. After creating the installation plan, the division and placement of the planks on the substructure required special attention. Thanks to precise factory cutting, expensive waste was avoided.

Due to the relatively high building exit, the manufacturer's original substructure had to be doubled up and raised to the required height, including a hardwood intermediate layer, and screwed into place. These solid base profiles were then placed on the concrete block substructure at 45 cm intervals as a substructure. Anchoring was unnecessary due to the heavy weight. The planks were then precisely divided and installed according to the installation instructions. Small overhangs of 2-3 cm were later cleanly trimmed off with a rail saw. The covering of the high substructure was formed by a vertically installed WPC plank, which – mitered at a 45° angle and screwed – functions as a circumferential platform profile. A metal edge completes the deck all around. To securely screw the edge, approximately 3 cm long wooden plugs were previously inserted into the hollow chambers at the end of the plank and glued. "A visually elegant and technically sound solution that is recommended for imitation for higher platforms," says the professional.

Thomas Schroll and his three-person team describe the overall installation as quick and problem-free. The WPC planks were processed just like wood, using standard tools. The steel girders of the roofing could be integrated into the surfaces using shadow gaps, as could the floor lighting in the podium on the executive floor. The delivery of the materials by truck and high-rise crane by the local freight company Wormser also proved advantageous. The individual packages, each weighing 1.7 tons, were transported 15 meters up to the construction site and carefully laid down. "Without this high-rise crane delivery, the planks would have had to be carried from the truck to the installation site, which would have been labor-intensive and time-consuming."

Conclusion

NATURinFORM's WPC decking has been used to create platform surfaces whose arrangement and shape contribute to the attractive design of roof terraces, and whose splinter-free surface invites relaxation, just like the PUMA Walk of Fame with the footprint of the fastest man in the world – PUMA superstar Usain Bolt…