overview of the project
builder: quark inc., denver usa
building site: 9’276 square meters
total floor area: 17’663 square meters
construction volume: 98’220 cubic meters
indoor parking spaces: 274
situation
quark inc. is planning a
new headquarters in
neuchâtel. by means of an open competition they seek to find
a solution that will meet their administrative and logistic needs in
the long run. the building site is an exposed plot of land up above the
city. more than 18’000 square meters of floor space was
intended for administration, storage and as additional space which
could be rented out to other firms. as many as 274 underground parking
spaces were also to be planned. as highly qualified teams of
specialists are to be operating in the building, a lot of effort was
put into interior design and general ambiance. niches were to be
created where the workers could relax and gather inspiration. the
construction should also be adaptable to the changing needs of quark
inc. without creating additional costs, which means that any
conceivable excess space could easily be rented out. another important
condition was that the construction process was to occur in stages.
this thought was to be implemented in the design right from the
beginning.
mühlemann + partner were awarded the contract. their proposed
solution met all the criteria and offered a very aesthetic design.
solution
according to the concept,
the underground parking area will be
divided into two floors. modularly expandable buildings will set around
a small park. the spacing between the buildings adds a certain
lightness to the structure and lets it blend in with the surroundings.
the massive appearance of the constructions is broken down by an outer
structure consisting of a glass wall with fire escapes, sun screens and
maintenance facilities. the buildings, with their transparent walls and
extruding roofs above the entrances, somehow bring to mind the image of
landing insects. the buildings fit just nicely into the exposed area
and display a gentle
architectural elegance.
on the ground floor one will find an reception hall, classrooms, a
restaurant and production areas. the upper floors can be divided into
separate spaces and offer a high degree of flexibility. renting out
production or office space to other companies should pose no problem
whatsoever. the top floors with their terraces can be used by the
employees in their spare time or to hold receptions.
not only quark inc. was pleased with our proposal, but also the city
architect of neuchâtel and the public authorities. at the
time of writing the project is on hold because parts of the business
belonging to the previous owner have been sold.
