Given the prominent location, the city required a building that would escape the regular factory
appearance, and the client's intention was to create a strong visual identity for the newly created
coffee brand. The program required spaces that would fit both, coffee production plant with its
facilities and office space which would provide variety of work space arrangements, meetings and
socializing areas, both indoors and outdoors. Additionally, public areas which would include coffee
tasting cafe with small coffee exhibits.
As a response, a regular, box‐like volume of a production plant required to serve the building's
primary purpose adjusts to program components by wrapping around them. It stays high where
necessary to fit production equipment and lowers where possible. Same with office, the building
shell wraps around work, meeting and rest spaces arranged on floors suspended on various levels.
The three atriums as the light wells, and numerous skylights bring daylight to the work and shared
spaces below. The atriums are filled with plants to form small green outdoor spaces directly visible
from all indoor areas.
From the highway, the monolithic mass with no visible openings adapted to the slope of the site is
an object of curiosity. While its internal spaces are all oriented and opened towards the green park
located on the back side and the sky by means of two terraces which are part of the green roof.
The all‐concrete facade folds to produce double curved geometry. Its appearance changes during
course of a day, following sun movement producing an interplay of light and shadows.
Central entrance is a narrow gap produced by lifted concrete shell leading into a large main lobby
located between the two of the green atriums. The multilevel platforms for coffee exhibits and
lounges are greeting visitors along the stairs and ramps leading to the coffee tasting cafe and the
office spaces.
Underground level is mainly used for indoor parking and various storage and facilities.
CONSTRUCTION / MATERIALS AND STRUCTURE
The concrete structure with one‐way waffle slab spans up to 16 meters to create large unobstructed
spaces. Steel floor slabs are suspended from the roof slab on various levels with use of steel rods.
The cast in place concrete folded facade which ages well, is a double wall with insulating layer inbetween.
The 3,680 sqm green roof acts as an additional thermal barrier to the roof insulation. The
roof is intended to grow vegetation found around the site with wild grasses and plants, to blend with
the context and require less maintenance.
Credits:
- Khmaladze Architects - Architect - Tinatin Sherazadishvili
- Khmaladze Architects - Architect - Ana Khutsishvili
- Khmaladze Architects - Lead Architect - Giorgi Khmaladze
- Khmaladze Architects - Interior Designer - Maia Bagishvili
Credits:
- Khmaladze Architects - Architect - Tinatin Sherazadishvili
- Khmaladze Architects - Architect - Ana Khutsishvili
- Khmaladze Architects - Interior Designer - Maia Bagishvili
- Khmaladze Architects - Lean Architect - Giorgi Khmaladze
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