A medium-sized high-tech company was looking to expand their laboratory and administrative area. For that purpose they have purchased a construction site at Schichauweg 52, 12307 Berlin-Mariensfelde. The selected site is large enough to accommodate the current spatial necessities of the client but also enable future expansion of the building if needed. The building is positioned parallel to the west border of the site, in order to leave enough outside space for parking, entrance and manipulative surfaces on the east side of the site. Private and production accesses / exits are clearly divided in order to create a circular supply-path which follows the production process (enter-process-storage-exit) of the company.
The building consists of two functional units: office unit and laboratory unit, which is clearly visible on the facade through the application of different materials. The office unit consists of a series of south-facing office spaces connected with a main corridor and a large glazed foyer.
Façade of the office unit is made of klinker brick and is pierced with evenly distributed window openings that articulate the rationality of administrative wing. Distribution of working and storage spaces in the laboratory unit follows the U-shaped supply / production path. Facade of this unit is made of corrugated steel sheets with long ribbons of uniformed windows and is visually clearly separated from the office unit. Roof skylights on the laboratory unit allow the daylight to get deep into to the building and reduce the use of artificial light.
The energy concept is in compliance with the German Energy Agency (dena) “Green Building” and it includes a holistic view of the building. The integrated planning approach between architecture, building physics, and engineering enables the increase of energy efficiency and conservation of natural resources.
