CONVERSION of a 1960's INDUSTRIAL BUILDING into SUSTAINABLE OFFICE BUILDING

The architectural redesign aims at imparting a new identity to a forsaken and apparently obsolete structure and at supporting the accommodation of functionally, environmentally and energetically sustainable workplaces within the framework of the existing structure.

One of the key decisions was the demolition of all existing walls of the industrial building and the preservation only of the building's concrete skeleton that dominates the interior space and serves as guidance in the new layout of the office floors.

Workplaces are arranged around a central multi-use space - the PLAZA - so that all of them have a view to the surroundings as well as access to direct natural light. Supporting rooms occupy the "blind" part of the floor and have an overview over the central square. The PLAZA is the heart of the company premises, the place of meeting, discussion and relaxation, a bridging landscape between offices.


Electrical, heating and cooling installations are concealed under a raised floor, thus the ceiling remains intact with uncovered beams retaining the dominant industrial structure of the space. Solid and glazed partition walls offer a graded view of the Plaza and the adjacent offices. The flexibility minded prescient layout facilitates future changes in the partitioning in case of varying needs of the company.

Following the key decision to demolish the existing external masonry and balconies, the new envelope was designed inextricably connected to the new use. It follows the concept of the interior partitioning that encompasses alternating solid and transparent sections, so that outlooks from the plaza to the surroundings are assured.

The envelope consists of bricks with integrated polystyrene and insulation plaster with hollow glass microspheres. The reduced extent of the facade openings in combination with the low thermal transmittance of the specified window frames and triple glazing with integrated micro-shading contribute to the drastic reduction of air conditioning needs.

Advanced BIM technology was deployed for the sake of the demanded accuracy of the energy analysis of the office spaces and of the compliance of daylight conditions with EN 17037.