Description

The Centre for Energy and Technology aims to function as an ”incubator” for young enterprises dealing with the generation and marketing of alternative sources of energy and the improvement of the respective technological processes. ZET addresses companies which develop system solutions for the optimi­sation of energy use – for instance through energy management of buildings. Both the exploitation of regenerative sources of energy and the use of fossil fuel are involved.

The building comprises four functional areas: administration (including spaces for events, training, and conferences), rented office spaces, workshops, and secondary spaces. All areas are arranged around a four-storey atrium, which consists of a public entrance space for visitors and another hall segment that is reserved for the users. The galleries running round the atrium support communication and contact between users.

The interior design of the reinforced concrete frame structure restricts itself to a range of exposed finishes resulting from the structure itself. A monochrome environment is created that defines the architectural background for later and unforeseeable changes through the tenants. Interior walls are made of prefabricated timber elements that are mounted to the concrete structure. According to their function they have glazed or wooden panels.

The building avoids references to the bland urban situation on a peninsula in the east of the city and positions itself as a solitary volume on a square floor plan. Similar to the interior, which reacts to different functional requirements, its façades react to their respective directions. On all sides, the building received a double-layered façade creating a thermal buffer zone in winter and providing daytime-ventilation and night-time cooling during summer. The outer façade in front of the solid inner layer consists of imprinted float glass.

The areas for events, the offices, and workshops are generously glazed and have full height window elements. In this case, the outer skin consists of float glass with glass louvers for ventilation. The landscaping follows the idea of a harmonious integration into the environment, loosely arranged green spaces, and soft spatial transitions.

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Originally published in: Hardo Braun, Dieter Grömling, Research and Technology Buildings: A Design Manual, Birkhäuser, 2005.