aasa12012: schmidt hammer lassen architects

lunedì 17 dicembre 2012

IBC INNOVATION FACTORY BY SCHMIDT HAMMER LASSEN

The IBC Innovation Factory is designed to support new ways of learning. The 12,800 square metres educational building is the result of a refurbishment project of the paint manufacturer GORI’s factory from 1978, which set new standards for factories at the time.

In the spirit of the original factory, schmidt hammer lassen architects, in collaboration with International Business College (IBC) Kolding, has created the settings for a ground-breaking and creative learning environment, aiming to become the world’s best.

The ambition is to be a training camp for future innovators. With the acquisition of the GORI factory in the summer of 2010, the IBC gained access to a unique physical environment characterized by an impressive pioneering spirit and vision.

It was the first factory plant in Denmark to unite production and management in one large room, allowing visual connection between the two. The large paint tanks were decorated by the French artist Jean Dewasne, in the conviction that art in the workplace would inspire employees and provide a better working environment.

The same idea inspired the incorporation of badminton courts and Ping-Pong tables on the production floor for the employees. The main task for schmidt hammer lassen architects has been to preserve and emphasize the building’s existing qualities and transform the facilities into an innovative learning environment.

By using six elements – fire, water, greenery, light, sound and air – the concept for the new Innovation Factory was developed with an emphasis on stimulating the users’ senses.

A central teaching facility in the shape of an indoor ‘landscape furniture’ designed in Douglas pine wood incorporates a variety of learning spaces and experiences.

The wooden structure, which seems to float above a surface of water, has an auditorium, places for open study, an amphitheatre, and closed podiums for group work or quiet study time. There are green plants, the sound of trickling water, birds in aviaries and plenty of daylight from the skylights above.

Location: Kolding, Denmark
Architects: Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects
Engineer: Rambøll A/S
Consultants: Alectia
Main Contractor: MT Højgaard a/s, Odense
Area: 12,800 m2
Year: 2012
Client: IBC International Business College, Kolding
Photographs: Adam Mørk

mercoledì 26 settembre 2012

UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN NEW LIBRARY BY SHL ARCHITECTS

“The University of Aberdeen is the fifth oldest English-language university in the world. It was established in 1495 and it houses over a quarter of a million books and manuscripts.

The new library serves a community of 14,000 students. The 15,500 square metres of floor-space accommodates 1,200 reading spaces alongside archives, historical collections and a rare books reading room.

A new public square is an integral part of the design, linking the University and the city and forming the west end of an east-west axis across the University campus. The Academic Square will generate a sense of cohesion between the University and the surrounding community.

The library will be positioned on a base of Scottish stone, and it is designed to be welcoming. The ground floor with lounge and café areas will host regular exhibitions, seminars and poetry readings.

The atrium’s vast spiralling volume connects all eight storeys, and with its sweeping contours and organic form, this space contrasts with the clean cut exterior profile.

The building is designed to minimise long term running costs and energy use. Consisting of an irregular pattern of insulated panels and high performance glazing, the façade will shimmer during the day and glow softly at night, creating a luminous landmark for Aberdeen.

Aberdeen University New Library will be both a meeting place and a cultural centre for the University and the wider Aberdeen community.

Energy

Photo voltaic cells are to be located on the roof and will supplement the building’s electricity requirements.

Water

A water recycling system will be utilised to collect and store rainfall from the roof. The rain water will be recycled for use in lavatories.

Ventilation

A green displacement ventilation system will be used to save energy. For example, the system supplies air at 18-19° C, thus obviating the need for mechanical cooling for a significant period of the year, that is, whenever external temperatures are less than 17-18° C.

System pressure drops are much lower than in conventional fan coil unit systems, and this permits the use of far smaller fans to circulate air through the system. Temperature stratification allows for the conditioning of the occupied zone only, and in this way energy is not wasted in conditioning the unoccupied zone directly beneath the ceiling.

Infrastructure

The university is developing a traffic plan with an emphasis on sustainability. This will generally encourage the use of sustainable transport systems rather than cars - for example cycling and buses. Facilities such as showers for staff cycling to work will be provided.

Certification

The project has achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating.

Light

All working environments will be generously day-lit. Through the use of high performance glazing, the amount of solar gain and heat loss will be kept to a minimum. The ratio of glass to solid panel on the internal elevations will be approximately 50 percent.

Economy

The building’s design will minimise long term running costs and significantly reduce the scheme’s carbon footprint.” Description of architects.