WAREHOUSE 12

This new, modernist office building is located between the company’s former mineral warehouse and its current office. Warehouse 12 is comparable to a central connecting link that merges the various working functions together, housing offices, laboratories, a cafeteria, and meeting rooms.

The initial concept, inspired by an abundance of trees between the new extension and the existing office building, led to the creation of an outdoor activity space. A wooden terrace, shaded by trees, designed in an origami fashion, is flanked by two sloping spaces. One of these spaces provides an outdoor auditorium area connected to the central terrace and the second floor. The other serves as an indoor auditorium connecting the second and third floors.

The building is topped by a large cantilevered structure with a glass-facade which appears to hover and blend in with its surroundings. This projects 23-meters to the front and 9-meters on either side, providing shade for outdoor activities.

As the owner is fond of the natural characteristics of various materials, many of these were left these unaltered and visible. These elements included bare concrete, steel, glass and wood. The structure is reinforced concrete, except for the cantilevered section, which is constructed in steel. Upstanding beams provide under-floor space for MEP services. This design also achieves a smooth, continuous concrete ceiling as the soffit is flush with the underside of the beam. The upper facade’s dark-tinted glass emphasizes the cantilevered structure standing out from the clear glass of the first and second floor.