Bang & Olufsen Headquarters

Birgit Klauck

Description

In 1996, Bang & Olufsen decided to erect new headquarters in Struer. The directors wanted a head office that expressed the company’s identity in an unpretentious fashion. They gave Jan Søndergaard of KHR AS arkitekter full responsibility for the building, all the way from programme to interior design. In the Bauhaus tradition, an open building integrating with the landscape was built. In spite of its simple geometry, it is alive with exciting contrasts. The new U-shaped building on the southern edge of the production site consists of three clearly formulated rectangular blocks set around a courtyard and open to the landscape. Quiet façades define the exterior. In contrast, the interior is alive with unexpected complexity and an impressive view of the nearby straits.

From the main entrance – which is somewhat understated – the prestige functions located in the northern block are the first to be accessed. Among these are the central reception area, the visitor centre with its conference and meeting rooms, the staff canteen and also the showroom situated on the lower floor. The two remaining building blocks are given over to offices, largely open-plan as the administrative staff work in teams. Annexed at the ends of the unusually slender raised block to the south, are the directors’ private offices. All the access areas have been placed along the highly transparent façade on the courtyard side. In this way, internal processes are rendered visible, visual contact is made, the movement of people is celebrated and staff communication facilitated. Flowing transitions between the individual functional areas are subtly hinted at by changes of material. Icelandic basalt, sandblasted glass, cast-in-place concrete faces and light-coloured wooden floors are the dominant materials.

The climate control system is based on the uncompromising reduction of external and internal cooling loads. A hybrid ventilation system was created especially for the slender blocks. It enables almost year-round natural ventilation for 75% of the building. Horizontal ventilation louvres controlled by carbon dioxide sensors are integrated into the almost entirely glazed north façade. In winter, heating elements behind it warm the incoming fresh air. On the south façade, which by comparison is closed, the louvres (which are otherwise individually adjustable) are automatically operated in summer, in order to enable cooling by night. The staircases also function as ventilation shafts; they are equipped with fans in case of need. The ventilation system is comparable to the “external air supply with decentralised ventilation systems.” (See “New Developments in Climate Conditioning“).