Palaeon reflects its surroundings thanks to thyssenkrupp Plastics

The 4,500 m² reflective ALUCOBOND® surface creates a unique facade which is a real eye-catcher.

At the heart of the research and experience center in Schoeningen, Lower Saxony, are the world-renowned “Schoeningen spears” which revolutionized research into the Paleolithic era. thyssenkrupp Plastics was also involved in the construction of the futuristic building. “We supplied around 4,500 square meters of ALUCOBOND® with a special reflective surface for the facade,” says Alexander Pink, field sales employee at thyssenkrupp Plastics.

The modern building was designed by the renowned Zurich architectural office Holzer Kobler Architekturen. The outer skin of the Palaeon acts like an oversize mirror which reflects the surrounding countryside, making it part of the landscape. The slanting arrangement of the panels presents sweeping, fascinating views over the area where the spears were found, the lignite open pit mine, the nearby woodland and the grazing wild horses. The park was created by the Berlin-based landscape architects Topotek 1. The expressive architecture combines the artificial and natural landscape, making it a landmark for culture and knowledge.

In addition to supplying the ALUCOBOND® panels, thyssenkrupp employees were also in close contact with the facade construction company. Advising and supporting customers is an important part of the job, particularly as the panels were installed using a special adhesive and rivet technique.

The highlight of the exhibition at the Palaeon is the Schoeningen spears. They are among the oldest evidence of creative intelligence. At the exhibition, fascinating demonstrations show visitors what a hunting expedition must have been like around 300,000 years ago. Mankind’s oldest hunting weapons have provided many new insights into the Paleolithic era. They are one of the most important parts of the exhibition as only in the Palaeon, the place they were found, can the original spears be seen – where people left them behind around 300,000 years ago.