Renovation without large ducts OMU 93 apartment block, Bern (CH)
A former research centre and office block transformed into modern apartments. To complete the rehabilitation of the building, significantly higher drainage capacity was required from the same narrow pipeline ducts while also complying with the highest sound insulation requirements. The brand new Geberit Silent-db20 SuperTube system met all the requirements.
From office block to high-rise apartments
The OMU 93 building sits on the outskirts of Bern and was inspired by the style of Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier.
The striking exposed concrete structure was completed at the start of 1970s as a research facility and used by the former state-owned monopoly communications company PTT to improve telecommunications. That was the building’s purpose until 2014, after which it was briefly used by small businesses and cultural institutions.
There are now around 90 modern apartments across 17 floors and various public spaces on the ground floor that have rejuvenated the area.
The Geberit Silent-db20 SuperTube drainage system met the project’s high demands.
Project overview
Conversion to 87 apartments
The building was completely gutted and transformed from an office block into a residential building. Certain structural constraints could not be changed.
Improved performance with Geberit Silent-db20 SuperTube
Statics required the developers to retain the existing narrow drainage ducts. Geberit SuperTube technology provides excellent drainage capacity and requires very little space.
Higher sound insulation requirements
Geberit Silent-db20 SuperTube met the strict requirements for sound insulation in residential buildings.
Extra win: quick installation
Up to 40% faster to install with smaller pipe dimensions and no secondary ventilation pipe.
Customer testimonial
Buildings used for residential purposes require significantly more drainage capacity than offices. Changing the size of the existing ducts, however, was out of the question – both for structural reasons and because we didn’t want to reduce the size of the expensive living space. On top of this were the strict requirements regarding sound insulation. Geberit Silent-db20 SuperTube arrived at exactly the right time and solved our problem.
Do you have a similar project? We will find the right solution for you.
What the project required High-capacity drainage with sound insulation
Converting the building into a residential space meant that the required discharge rate had to be increased. At the same time, strict sound insulation requirements also had to be met.
To increase the discharge rate, pipe dimensions of between d135 and d160 would usually have been required with an additional secondary ventilation pipe. However, the size of the ducts could not be changed for static reasons.
Sanitary planning company Probst + Wieland therefore faced a major challenge regarding the building’s drainage.
The Geberit solution Geberit Silent-db20 SuperTube
Geberit was able to offer sanitary planning company Probst + Wieland the perfect solution with the Geberit Silent-db20 SuperTube drainage system.
The highly sound-insulating Geberit Silent-db20 discharge pipes ensure quiet and effective drainage, while SuperTube technology saves space in ducts. Moreover, planning the entire drainage system was incredibly easy.
- Despite the height of the building and the large number of residential units, the developer reached the increased discharge rate with only a few discharge stacks – without any ventilation pipes running parallel.
- Where pipes change direction, there is no need for a bypass for the prohibited connection zone.
- The project only required d110 pipes instead of discharge pipes measuring d135 or d160.
Another benefit was how easy and efficient it was to install the continuous pipelines without secondary ventilation in the narrow ducts. Installation time was around 30-40 percent less than a conventional solution.
Facts & figures relating to the project
Geberit know-how
Geberit products used
- Geberit Silent-db20 SuperTube
Geberit Silent-db20 SuperTube
Geberit Silent-db20 SuperTube is designed for drainage in high-rise buildings. It meets strict sound insulation requirements, saves space and boasts a high drainage performance of 12 l/s.
Profile
Profile
Customer: Turidomus (real estate investment foundation)
Architect: LYRA
Design: Guggisberg Kurz AG
Number of floors: 17
Residential units: 87
Completion: 2026
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28 floors without a secondary ventilation pipe
Geberit Silent-Pro SuperTube was used for the first time in the DS 90 residential high-rise in Vienna, with 29 floors and a six-floor base building. The highly sound-insulated drainage system saves space and is easy to install.
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