overview of the project
builder: neode parc scientifique et technologique
neuchàtel sa
total floor area: 6,100m2
situation
a competition was held to find solutions for a building project in la-chaux-de-fonds. The project was foreseen as a science and industry park, with start-ups and spin-offs. All aspects of the project (planning, investment and implementation) were to be considered. An important factor was that the building would have a high turnover of users; this implied a high level of built-in flexibility from the outset. An additional prerequisite was that the design would need to incorporate the possibility of subsequent expansion. the multilingual team of mühlemann & partner was able to convince the panel of judges with a combination of striking architecture, incorporating a maximum of flexibility, functionality and economy. furthermore, theirs was the only team which was able to present a plan containing sound expansion possibilities. This plan was implemented by a general contractor (losinger construction sa).
the solution
the architectural concept
resulted in a building which,
although full of character and possessing a clear visual focus, fitted
ideally into the existing landscape. because of the subdivision of the
building into two linked cubes, the treatment of ambient light and the
details of the building shell, the impact of the science and technology
building is one of levity and refinement. the existing structure could
be easily expanded later, with the construction of a third cube.
certain structural components of the building were left in plain view
along the facade.
a shading system was installed for the south-facing glass facade. this
south-facing alignment facilitates passive use of solar energy. by
exploiting the nature of the landscape (ascent from the south) it was
possible to create a naturally-lit basement area.
all of the plant infrastructure is located apart from the usable area.
this allows a maximum in flexibility of usage to be achieved. the
facade has been designed with openings which allow, for e.g., heavy
machines and cranes to move in and out freely. the buildings on the
first level are situated to the south east. an expansion of the
existing usable floor space by up to 50% would be possible in a north
easterly direction. this extension would be possible without in any way
compromising the unity of the existing premises. the two existing cube
forms would simply be complemented by a third with an opening up of its
own infrastructure, personnel entrances and delivery points. in this
way, the expansion could occur without limiting the existing operations
of the building in any way.
the design of this building communicates the high tech nature of what
is developed and produced inside. the architecture is guided not only
by aesthetic considerations but also by economic criteria. the building
is based on the use of conventional materials and a simple basic
structure. in this way the building costs have been kept low. this in
turn has allowed the tenancy rates to be held at a favourable level.
this has been decisive in the success of the industrial technology park.
