Huber windows with high-quality coating from ADLER for Fortuna school building in Chur

The construction of the new Fortuna school complex in Chur is a project for generations. Designed by the Andy Senn architectural firm, the site offers future-proof infrastructure for education, sport, culture and commerce, as well as inviting meeting places for young and old alike. Huber Fenster AG from Herisau was involved in the implementation, a company that has been more than familiar with sustainable thinking for decades: after all, Sebastian, Matthias and Pascal Huber are now the fifth generation to run the business, which started out as a tiny glazier's workshop. The family business has developed into an expert in particularly high-quality windows, lift-and-slide doors and façade elements that are individually tailored to each construction project. Surface treatment plays an important role here, and Huber Fenster AG can rely on its long-standing, close cooperation with ADLER-Werk Lackfabrik. The perfect combination is selected for each project from the wide range of primer coats, intermediate coats, paints and glaze finishes.

Premium product

In addition to their impressive appearance, the main criterion for using Aquawood Diamond on the Fortuna windows was their long service life thanks to their high resistance to weathering: "It was a complex process to find the right surface for this demanding project. We met with the architects for several rounds of sampling and consultation. Jürg Niebecker, ADLER Key Account Manager for the window industry in Switzerland, provided us with excellent support with his in-depth knowledge of varnishes, technical details and background information," reports project manager Michele Leban from Huber Fenster AG. The decision was ultimately made in favour of the premium Window Coating from Austria's leading paint manufacturer: Aquawood Diamond is a 2K system that, thanks to the addition of a hardener, can withstand even the most extreme conditions such as hail, moisture, cold, heat and UV radiation. Even regular contact, which is inevitable in an educational institution, cannot damage the surface. Especially in large construction projects such as the school building project, which extend over a longer period of time and involve many different trades, the outstanding wet adhesion as protection against winter construction damage and the enormous scratch resistance are also decisive factors.

Oak elegance

However, the visual appearance was just as important: the Aquawood Diamond system impresses with its exceptionally elegant grain pattern. This is ensured by the Aquawood Diamond Sealer primer coat, which is also applied in two components, followed by the levelling Aquawood Primo dip impregnation. For the Aquawood Diamond-Top glazing top coat, a subtle, only very lightly pigmented brown tone was specially selected to emphasise the natural beauty of the solid oak wood and show it off to its best advantage. The incredible 485 frames and 988 sashes – a total of 2945 m² of window and door area – thus  form a harmonious contrast to the raw parapet infills and the vertical panelling of the façade, which is coated with ADLER Lignovit Terra in a dark colour. In the classrooms and corridors, the windows create a pleasant, friendly learning atmosphere with their calm, simple elegance. They look like high-quality furniture and impressively enhance the rooms.

Generational skill

With its skilful combination of surface quality and appearance, the Fortuna school building in Chur is a prime example of the holistic approach that ADLER and Huber Fenster AG share: responding individually to different requirements, an unconditional commitment to the highest standards and skilled craftsmanship in implementation have made success possible for generations!

ADLER – paint runs through our veins

With 730 employees, ADLER is Austria's leading manufacturer of varnishes, paints and wood preservatives. Founded in 1934 by Johann Berghofer, this family business is now managed by a member of the third generation, Andrea Berghofer. More than 20,000 tons of paint leave the plant in Schwaz, ADLER's only production site, every year and are shipped to customers throughout Europe and beyond. Innovation and sustainability are the foundations of the corporate strategy. In doing so, ADLER focuses on reducing its CO₂ footprint, cycle-oriented product development and numerous partnerships for science and environmental protection.