A bespoke solution ensures comfort outdoors

Weather-independent upgrade

In the centre of Mannheim (Germany), the Roof Bar, situated on the roof terrace of a luxury hotel, offers guests a spacious outdoor dining experience. To make this unique location even more versatile, the outdoor area was purposefully developed further. The result is a bespoke solution from Warema to provide protection from the sun and bad weather, combining design, guest comfort and extended usability of the roof terrace.

The 75-square-metre L-shaped outdoor space offers a range of uses – from spacious lounge areas to sheltered zones. The aim was to further enhance the visitor experience and to be able to extend the catering on the terrace for a significantly longer period of the year – from the first after-work parties in the spring right through to the colder months. „It was important to us to retain the open character of the roof terrace whilst also being able to use the outdoor spaces in a more versatile and reliable way, whatever the weather,“ explains Mirko Mechler, Food & Beverage Manager at the Roof Bar and representative of the operator. A solution was therefore needed that would integrate harmoniously into the existing architecture and meet the specific requirements of the roof terrace, which is exposed to strong wind loads.

Personal consultation

Following a personal consultation, the client opted for the Lamaxa louvre roof from Warema. It was, in particular, the combination of weather resistance, comfort, versatility and high-quality design that won over those in charge. A particular challenge here was the integration of the existing Perea P40 pergola awnings into the new protection concept against sun and weather. To this end, they were dismantled, professionally shortened and then reinstalled on the narrower side of the terrace. This allowed the existing installations to be further integrated in a resource-efficient manner.

Tiltable slats

In the main area, a four-part system featuring the Lamaxa L50 is used. The roof system is fitted with tiltable slats, which allow light and shade to be controlled as required, creating a pleasant climate in the outdoor space. When the louvre roof is closed, rainwater is channelled away via the integrated drainage system

drained away in a controlled manner, ensuring that the outdoor area remains usable even in changeable weather. The robust construction is also designed for wind stability, thereby ensuring safe and comfortable use. Side-mounted awning-frame screens with easyZIP guides provide extra protection from the low sun, wind and rain. Thanks to the integrated LED lighting in the slats and crossbars, and eight dimmable heat radiators, the roof terrace can continue to be used in the evening and in cooler temperatures whilst maintaining a pleasant atmosphere.

Current weather data

With Warema’s WMS wireless system, shading, lighting and radiant heaters can be controlled individually. Furthermore, the WMS Weather Station Plus continuously records up-to-date weather data and, for example, automatically retracts the side-mounted awning screen in the event of excessive wind loads, based on pre-set thresholds. The colour scheme was also carefully tailored to the existing architecture: the louvre roofs and radiant heaters were given a highly weather-resistant special powder coating in medium bronze, to match the existing window profiles.

FACTS & FIGURES Project: ROOF Bar Location: Q7, 27, Mannheim, Germany Operator: ARIVA Hotel GmbH, Mannheim, Germany Use: Catering Planning/installation of sun protection: Weß GmbH & Co. KG, Mannheim, Germany Completion: 2023 Sun protection: Lamaxa L50 Line series installation with special powder coating (C33), including front-mounted frame screens with easyZIP guidance (GranTex type), fabric design 3531, radiant heaters, LED lighting Control: WMS wireless system with Weather Station Plus, WMS Comfort Handheld Transmitter and WMS Power Adapter