Weleda Logistics Campus

Schwäbisch Gmünd

special structures Services

MICHELGROUP GmbH, Ulm Architect

High-bay warehouse with the largest continuous rammed earth façade in Germany

Project

The new Weleda Cradle Campus in Schwäbisch Gmünd is a pioneering logistics center in terms of sustainability and ecological construction. The campus consists of an administration and functional building as well as an innovative wooden high-bay warehouse in silo construction. The racking system is located in a 5-meter-deep reinforced concrete trough. The 26-meter-high building envelope consists of a 8 meter high rammed earth wall, which also supports the 18 meter high insulated timber façade. knippershelbig was expert responsible for obtaining technical approval in an individual case (ZiE) as well as construction supervision for the largest continuous rammed earth construction in Germany.

The rammed earth wall made from local project excavation not only helps to save resources and CO2, but is also a key component of the technology-reduced climate concept

Rammed earth façade

The new central warehouse with a floor area of 80 m x 38 m is currently the largest continuous rammed facade in Germany. A unique feature of the project is the use of earth directly from the excavation of the building's foundations. Soil samples were analyzed, and a suitable soil mix design was developed to meet the project specifications. As the construction method is not regulated by standards, technical approval in an individual case (ZiE) and independent supervision was required. The 8-meter-high, solid rammed earth wall bears its own weight, the timber façade above, and horizontal loads, which are transferred to the timber high-bay warehouse through two reinforced concrete ring beams. Linear erosion brakes made of trass lime mortar protect the 60 centimeter thick wall from the effects of the weather.