cero-sliding-window-China Club-Berlin

All property photos on this page: HGEsch

Overlooking the rooftops of Berlin

The China Club is located at a prominent address on the top floor of the Adlon Palais, just a stone’s throw from the Brandenburg Gate. In an extension project completed in June 2022, a new storey was added to the building to give the club more space. The new, moving glass front provides spectacular views of the German capital’s main sites, and can be opened across its entire width when needed. 

The owner himself describes the China Club as a retreat and meeting hotspot for its members. The interior design was put together specially for the location, with selected art added for the finishing touch. Two top-class restaurants serve the guests authentic Chinese and Italian cuisine. 
 

Schiebefenster-cero-China-Club-Berlin

The cero sliding window offers an all-round frame with a width of just 34 mm and a 98% glass composition. 
 

Schiebefenster-cero-China-Club-Berlin
Schiebefenster-cero-China-Club-Berlin

Extension wit an extra storey

The owner wanted the building’s existing rooftop terrace to be built over and an extension to be added to the sixth-floor bar area. Architects Gerkan, Marg und Partner (gmp) were enlisted for the job. The aims of the renovation was to create more space for club members, combining the benefits of an open-air terrace in the summer and a sheltered interior in the winter. At the same time, it was important for the view to provide a perfect showcase for the sights of central Berlin. In addition to the construction of an enclosure around the existing terrace, the extension measures also included the modernisation and relocation of the building services areas.

Schiebefenster-cero-China-Club-Berlin
Schiebefenster-cero-China-Club-Berlin
Support structure with overhead glazing

One of the challenges for gmp Architekten was that the entire extension had to rest on just a few bearing points, in order to incorporate the load in the virtually column-free existing structure. This problem was solved using an intricate exposed support structure with overhead glazing and an all-round glass front that can be opened across almost its entire width. This will allow the space to be used as a restaurant all year round. 

Limitless spatial experiences with cero

In order to ensure that the glass front could be opened across its entire width of almost 18 metres on milder days, the architects opted for Solarlux’s cero II sliding window with double glazing. The cero II used on the top floor of the China Club comprises five individual elements, each approx. 3.6 x 2.75 metres in size. The elements can be slid open on a flush-mounted double floor track and “parked” in front of the outer wall. All-round frames just 34 mm in width mean the panels are made of 98 percent glass – so even when they’re closed, they offer almost completely unobstructed views over the rooftops of Berlin. 

Video: China Club Berlin with cero II sliding window

Sophisticated technology made in Germany

Even without an electric motor, opening the sliding windows at the China Club couldn’t be easier. This is thanks to the cero II’s stainless steel sliding mechanism, which enables panels up to 600 kg in weight to glide smoothly along the tracks with minimal wear. Built-in track rollers guarantee even load distribution, while the running track is kept clean by protruding moulded pieces with built-in brushes in the panel. Another factor in the system’s long service life is the glazing rebate ventilation, which reliably prevents condensation from forming in the space between the panes. Condensation is drained via a concealed, controlled system on the bottom level of the frame profile. The outdoor solar protection provides plenty of shade in the summer, while the high-transparency solar protection glazing keeps the interior from overheating. 

The cero sliding windows allow club members to enjoy an open-air terrace in the summer and a sheltered interior in the winter. 

Schiebefenster-cero-China-Club-Berlin
Schiebefenster-cero-China-Club-Berlin

Construction sign

Location: Behrenstraße 72, 10117 Berlin
Client: DVI Deutsche Vermögensgesellschaft für Immobilien mbH
Architects: gmp ∙ Architekten von Gerkan, Marg und Partner
Project Manager: Tobias Keyl
Floor space: 1,735 m²
Completion date: July 2022
Sliding windows: cero II system

Engineering at a glance
hoher Glasanteil
hoher Glasanteil
Maximum transparency
hoher Glasanteil
Maximum transparency

The slender frames and profiles help to make the elements as transparent as possible. The sight lines are kept to just 34 mm, resulting in a symmetrical and minimalist design that is underlined by the 98% glass composition. Depending on which variant you choose, your cero will come with either triple or double-toughened single-pane safety glass (TSG). 
 

15qm
15qm
Large element sizes
15qm
Large element sizes

Even with a glass area of 15 m² and a weight of up to 1000 kg per element, the extra-large cero sliding window can still be opened and closed with no problem at all. Stainless steel carriages and rails guarantee a light, low-wear sliding motion, while the integrated stainless steel track rollers ensure even load distribution. Electric panel drives are also available if required. cero has successfully passed a durability test in which it was opened and closed 100,000 times.

Motorisierung
Motorisierung
Motorisation
Motorisierung
Motorisation

The sliding elements can be fitted with a fully automated operating system including electro-mechanical locking and unlocking, which offers the user interdependent control of several panels via a control unit.

Einbruchhemmung
Einbruchhemmung
Security
Einbruchhemmung
Security

cero has been tested and certified in line with the highest security standards, and equipment that meets anti-burglary protection classes RC2 and RC3 is available as an option. A two-point latch bolt with adjustable locking points and a stroke of 24 mm is fitted as standard in the top running track and guide rail. Connections to alarm systems, a closing monitor, and notification systems such as broken glass sensors and position monitoring systems are all available as options.

Vielfältige Grundrisse
Vielfältige Grundrisse
Versatile ground plans
Vielfältige Grundrisse
Versatile ground plans

The range of combination options for cero system components as sliding, fixed and corner elements is almost limitless. They offer an astounding degree of creative freedom in terms of design, and are suitable for any ground plan. 

cero sliding windows

The cero sliding window operates within the parameters of aesthetics, functionality and quality, with slender frames and profiles that help to make the elements transparent. Its narrow profiles and slim, all-round panel frames, which are only 34 mm wide, underline the minimalist design without compromising on aspects such as security, convenience and performance. The system components can be combined in almost any configuration and offer the complete freedom of design that sophisticated projects and clients require. Panel sizes of up to 6 m tall or 4 m wide and a maximum panel weight of up to 1,000 kg create new, open dimensions in the room.

Order now: The cero brochure
Would you like even more in-depth information on our individual systems and the technical details of our cero sliding window? Then order our comprehensive product brochure today – available in digital format via email or as a hard-copy book.