Description
The building was erected in 1999 as the first phase of a larger project, which had been tendered for in an architectural competition held in 1992. It also comprised additional buildings for the Office of Environmental Protection and shared facilities. The site is a state-owned plot adjacent to an extensive industrial complex of the L’Oreal company.
The design concept was strongly guided by the organisation of the various functional zones of the programme. It was developed, critically analysed, and realised in close cooperation with the users. After thorough analysis of all requirements and definition of relevant standards for the individual room types and after intensive consideration of general and specific functional procedures, the architects developed a spatial concept, which rigorously concentrates on a few basic modules.
Three functional zones with comparable technical equipment – laboratories/studies/service rooms and circulation zones – were combined. The separation and stacking of these functions generated clearly readable building volumes that have their own character in terms of layout, structure, and choice of materials.
The linear five-storey research building with double-loaded access corridors stands out within a heterogeneous industrial context through its rigorous and clear design. On top of the northwest-orientated laboratory wing a tall technical service storey covers the entire floor area. This element enhances the physical presence of this highly equipped building, which is the most important part of the institute as for the experimental research conducted there.
The main entrance at the gable end in the northeast leads into an open and communicative foyer space that also provides access to shared facilities like the lecture hall and library. The laboratory levels face northwest and include individual service shafts. The offices facing southeast are located on the same level behind a steel service gangway and a fully glazed façade. The transparency of this façade contrasts with the horizontally ordered and rather solid façade of the laboratory spaces. The structural system of the building, which is based on a rigorous plan, in combination with the clearly organised layout creates bright and varying public circulation spaces.
Drawings
Schematic sketch of building
Typical floor
Northwest elevation
Northeast elevation with entrance
Photos
Offices are located behind a fully glazed façade and service gangways made of steel
Clearly orientated laboratories with allocated writing desks
Originally published in: Hardo Braun, Dieter Grömling, Research and Technology Buildings: A Design Manual, Birkhäuser, 2005.