overview of the building
client: Lemo (UK) ltd.
built volume: 15'000 m3
gross floor surface: 4'000 m2
situation
in worthing (12 miles away
from brighton) lemo wants to errect
a new building. the company had designed a project by a local
architect. this did not satisfy the swiss holding company by two
reasons: the already planned project proved to be too expensive on the
one hand and on the other hand as not functional enough. as
Mühlemann + partner had already successfully designed a
project for a production and administrative building in budapest, lemo
assigned the same team to present an optimized project.
the demands on the building's concept are quite complex. besides space
for administration, research and development, assembling and
distribution had to be situated. in doing so there had to be considered
that for research and development separate rooms from lemo (uk) ltd.
are available.
the site is situated in worthing's centre, between the historical part
and the commercial zone and therefore in a sensitive environment. the
project was to be integrated into the existing traffic conception
because of the access – especially in the delivery area.
solution
the project's architecture
consciously picks up existing
elements of the neighbourhood. an elegant building was developed, which
uses elements that are already existing in the surrounding area with
its curved, geometrical forms (coast line, piers, art deco buildings).
with its brick elevation towards the historical centre it features the
dominant vernacular materials and colours. nevertheless the
construction shows a contemporary, lightly seeming and detailed
architecture, which fits very delicately in these sensitive
surroundings. an open glazed façade generates transparency
towards the road. with this harmonically appearing structure a visual
tranquillity is achieved. fixed fins work as optimal sun screens and
allow for the local weather conditions with frequent gales, which can
cause damage to sun blinds. at the same time these constructions set
architectural accents.
the volume was integrated in a way that neighboured buildings still get
a maximum of sun light. at the same time the available ground is used
in an optimal and therewith economical way. because of the clever
arrangement there is enough space to allow a sophisticated landscaping.
green roofs advance the water retention. a sufficient amount of parking
spaces can be located on the site. accessing and leaving the area for
visitors and delivery is in accordance with the local traffic
conception.
lemo (uk) ltd. as well as the research and development division have
separate entrances to the building and separate secondary rooms for
litter, toilets etc. There is the benefit of synergies in central lifts
for goods, personal lifts and stairs, which simultaneously serve both
parties.
as usual Mühlemann + Partner looked after highest flexibility
in the design of the production and assembly rooms. surfaces are clear
of other utilisations like toilets, lifts, stairs, ducts etc. because
there aren't any pillars in the rooms every adaptation to new needs and
operating procedures is possible any time. further more an optimal load
capacity of the floors was taken into consideration right from the
start. therewith every new use is imaginable in the future. all
building services, like watertank for sprinkler, rooms for air
conditioning, heating and ventilation, are centrally located in the
basement. vertical ducts provide the whole building.
already integrated in the conception is a future extension of one
storey, wherewith the client can react on additional needs, once the
community has raised - as planned – the maximal building's
height in this zone.
together with a maximal flexibility the building's conception achieves
the objection of minimal running costs, in using low-maintenance
materials. nevertheless the building meets the requirements of showing
a representative appearance.
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