Centre for Virtual Engineering, Stuttgart Development, ZVE Germany, Building, Architecture

Centre for Virtual Engineering, Germany : Stuttgart Building

Fraunhofer IAO Development – design by UNStudio Architects, NL

11 Apr 2013

ZVE Stuttgart

Design: UNStudio

Location: Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, south west Germany

Centre for Virtual Engineering, Stuttgart

Located on the research campus of the Fraunhofer IAO in Stuttgart Vaihingen, the Centre for Virtual Engineering (ZVE) specializes in the investigation of different multidisciplinary work flows. UNStudio’s design for the Centre applies its research into the potential to expand contemporary understandings of new working environments and affect a design approach that creates working environments which stimulate communication, experimentation and creativity through a new type of office building.

photo : Christian Richters

The diagrammatic approach employed combines the laboratory and research functions with the public exhibition areas and a scenographic routing of the visitors into an open and communicative building concept. The different working areas are distributed with regard to the needs of the employees. An exceptional level of sustainability was a key consideration from the outset and upon completion the building was awarded a Gold certification by the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB). Following an intense phase of programme analysis all the various parts of the programme were implemented into the spatial organisation of the building.

photo : Christian Richters

Working areas merge into each other, promoting interdisciplinary work practices. The scenographic visitors routing is an essential element of the design, for which the brightly coloured stairs serve as a guiding line. Colour is used both in the facade and interior to distinguish the various programmatic elements, such as offices or laboratories. The building structure partially consists of bubble deck ceilings, providing both an economical alternative to concrete ceilings and reduction in weight, allowing for column free spaces.

The main structure consists of four main cores. The ceilings span between these cores and the columns within the facade area, thereby providing column free spaces. Enhanced technical elements are integrated into the structure: concrete core activation, false floors and the arrangement of sprinkler tubes within the false floors minimises the amount of visible installations. The air supply to the deeper areas occurs partly through air channels within the false floor. The plot has been used to its maximum in terms of development potential, with the building land treated in an economical way. The flat roof areas provide green roofs and serve for the storage of rain water.

photos : Christian Richters

Low maintenance, separable, and recyclable materials have been used for the skeleton as well as for the interior and facade construction. The ceilings are used for cooling with concrete core activation by water, with ground probes and a sprinkler tank serving as storage. A compact shape with an optimized building envelope was designed during the initial stages of the project. The rounded shape provides a 7% smaller contour than that of a rectangular form of the same area. This also results in a better facade area to volume ratio. The amount of glass facade is only 32%. All spaces along the facade can be ventilated directly by operable window elements. Ceilings without any lintels make it possible for daylight to reflect deep into the spaces, which are additionally supported by daylight lamellas while the sun screens are down.