The Saxxon residential high-rise complex in Frankfurt am Main was extensively renovated and revitalized according to plans by AS+P Albert Speer + Partner. The project is based on a three-pronged approach combining energy efficiency, technical upgrades, and architectural enhancement. The concept also includes the redesign of the entrance areas with an additional entrance structure. The facade, which was in need of renovation and contained asbestos in some areas, was dismantled and replaced with a ventilated curtain wall (VHF) made of TONALITY® terracotta from Leipfinger-Bader. Thanks to the low weight of the terracotta panels, the total weight of the facade was reduced by more than 50 tons – a decisive advantage for structural stability, sustainability, and energy efficiency. The new terracotta façade is extremely robust, durable, and low-maintenance. Graffiti protection is integrated into the terracotta and is permanently effective.

In the urban south of Frankfurt, the residential complex The Saxxon rises above the Sachsenhausen district with two striking high-rises. The complex, with its 20- and 22-story towers, is one of the city’s larger purely residential high-rises. Approximately 400 residential units, predominantly one-bedroom apartments—typical of post-war modernism—are located across roughly 15,000 square meters of living space.
The revitalization also included a new energy concept and the renovation of the deteriorating building envelope. In several construction phases, a custom-made TONALITY® terracotta façade by Leipfinger-Bader was installed, which meets the BAFA efficiency standards for eligible individual measures.

Extensive demolition of the old façade

The goal of the renovation was to enhance the building’s technical, energy-efficiency, and architectural qualities. The old cement fiber facade contained asbestos in some areas, which required professional demolition.
The complex building structure, with its numerous recesses, balcony parapets, and window axes, called for a custom-designed terracotta facade offering a high degree of design flexibility.

Project-specific terracotta tiles for the new facade

Against this backdrop, the choice fell on a curtain wall with rear ventilation (VHF) featuring terracotta cladding. Thanks to its rear-ventilated design, the façade improves energy efficiency, protects the building’s structural elements from external influences, and thereby contributes to the longevity of the entire structure. Thanks to its double-shell structure, it also provides sound insulation and contributes to thermal insulation. In total, over 5,000 square meters of TONALITY® terracotta façade elements from Leipfinger-Bader were installed. They have a module size of 300 millimeters in height. The terracotta façade elements are not mass-produced items but are custom-manufactured in the Westerwald on a project-by-project basis – a hallmark of quality that sets TONALITY® façades apart from many other suppliers.

Terracotta VHF reduces weight by over 50 tons

Given the large facade area of The Saxxon, the low weight of the Tonality terracotta panels used played a central role. Weighing only about 35 kilograms per square meter, a total of ten tons can be saved on a 1,000-square-meter surface – reducing the total weight of the facade by more than 50 tons. This is a decisive advantage, particularly when renovating existing buildings, as the load-bearing substrate often cannot support heavy loads. The significant weight savings conserve resources, simplify structural planning, and reduce both installation and transportation costs, contributing to a more efficient and sustainable renovation overall. In addition, the simple installation of the terracotta elements was a major selling point: The panels are simply hung into the substructure without drilling or additional fasteners – another plus, especially for a project of this scale.

TONALITY® pilaster strips for added texture on large facade surfaces

For The Saxxon, white matte-glazed terracotta elements were used, giving the towers a bright, modern appearance. The various surface designs of the terracotta elements also contribute to this effect. Some are smooth, while others feature so-called pilaster strips. The latter are structural elements on facades that originally stem from classical architecture. They have no load-bearing function but serve to structure and create rhythm in large wall surfaces. In modern architecture, pilaster strips are a popular design element for visually structuring, slimming down, or dividing high-rise buildings – such as residential or office towers – into individual sections. Tonality enables the creation of terracotta pilaster strips by specifically varying individual facade elements during production. This results in horizontal lines or stripes that lend the facade plasticity and depth.

High fire safety requirements and material quality

As buildings subject to high-rise building regulations, both towers had to comply with strict fire safety and structural requirements. The selected TONALITY® façade system is non-combustible (class A1 according to DIN EN 13501-1), weather-resistant, and characterized by low water absorption – making it ideal for urban applications.

Fired-on graffiti protection for maximum durability

Since Sachsenhausen is known for its vibrant street art scene, which unfortunately is also frequently accompanied by instances of illegal graffiti, it was also necessary to create an extremely robust and low-maintenance facade surface. TONALITY® terracotta is the perfect choice here. It is resistant to impacts, scratches, moss growth, salt, and any atmospheric influences – a clear advantage for durability and maintenance. Thanks to its high-quality surface structure, graffiti and other dirt can be easily removed without damaging the facade. What makes it special: During the sintering process, the graffiti protection is essentially baked into the surface. No additional coating is required. As a result, the graffiti protection has an unlimited lifespan. This makes TONALITY® terracotta facades the ideal solution for neighborhoods like Sachsenhausen, which on the one hand promote cultural diversity and artistic expression, but on the other hand also stand for a well-maintained urban landscape.

A sustainable contribution to urban development

The renovation of The Saxxon complex demonstrates how energy-efficient modernization and aesthetic enhancement can work together harmoniously. The terracotta façade contributes significantly to the neighborhood’s aesthetic enhancement while also representing a durable, low-maintenance, and environmentally friendly solution. Choosing Tonality is also a choice for sustainable construction: should the building ever need to be demolished, the terracotta façade can be reused in line with circular construction principles or recycled without leaving any residue.

Construction sign

Construction Project: Renovation of The Saxxon Residential High-Rises, Frankfurt am Main
Client: Homeowners’ Association (WEG) Mailänder Straße 10 and 12, Frankfurt am Main
Project Management: Brömer & Koch GmbH, Mainz-Kastel
Project Management (Service Phases 6 to 8): LeitWerk AG, Augsburg
Specialist Planning for Building Services: IB Trieb GmbH & Co. KG, Mühldorf am Inn
Architecture: AS+P Albert Speer + Partner GmbH, Frankfurt am Main
Thermal insulation planning: bauart Konstruktions GmbH & Co. KG, Lauterbach/Hesse
Facade terracotta: Tonality, Weroth (Leipfinger-Bader)
Construction period: 2023 to 2025

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