The primary intention of the programme is to
explore the relationship between the building and its surroundings and
between the building users and the landscape.One of the main design concerns was the building’s environmental adaptation and appropriation.The site slopes down three metres towards the west, offering attractive views over the neighboring hills.Our
solution was to create two hierarchically related volumes placed
perpendicularly to one another along a north-south axis and following
the slope of the site.One of the volumes contains flexible work spaces while the other encloses a workshop, exhibition space and storage areas. The
offices occupy the upper area of the site and are raised above ground
level to provide an impression of lightness. The idea was also to erasedistinctions
between the different kinds of work by avoiding the use of corridors.
The result is that the transition areas also act as settings where
people can meetone another or as waiting spaces with pleasant viewslooking out over the countryside.The workshop volume is located at a lower level and gives the appearance of being solidly anchored to the ground. The intersection of the two volumes serves as the entrance, with a sloped ramp rising up into the building.The
elevations and roof are completely constructed from black painted
concrete. The roof finish allow it be read as the building’s fifth
elevation.