Description

The Gira Giersiepen company in Radevormwald produces electro-installation systems. Apart from a great number of switch programs, the product range includes connection devices for data networks and telecommunication, as well as alarm systems. Development studies of the company demanded an expansion of their home production and office areas.

In order to optimize production processes, a general planning strategy taking into account existing buildings was developed. Gradual expansion, successive demolition of outdated facilities and the rearrangement and introduction of green areas to the central depot were included in the strategy; it formed the base for the architectural design.

During the first phase, two out of four buildings were erected side-by-side along the street. The two-storey buildings with a full basement accommodate production spaces on the ground floor and administration on the upper floor. The open plan spaces for these two alternative uses differ only marginally from each other in terms of main characteristics and floor plans. The glazed two-storey halls make use of daylight till dusk. Exterior blinds provide the required solar protection and are a substantial design element of the buildings. The roofs received metal cladding; the walls at the gable ends and along the building sides are fully glazed. At 6.50 m centers, arched low-rise steel girders span over 20 m; the glazed façades between them are supported by a lightweight post-and-beam structure.

Thermal waste energy from the production process is fed back into the energy cycle of the plant, thus reducing energy consumption. Natural ventilation is mainly provided by vents. The modern and clean industrial production nearly meets laboratory standards. The staff takes advantage of the transparent, bright working environment and views of the surroundings.

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Originally published in: Jürgen Adam, Katharina Hausmann, Frank Jüttner, Industrial Buildings: A Design Manual, Birkhäuser, 2004.