Kawneer Headquarters
The competition entry for the design of the new Kawneer headquarters combined five key features: a home for the company, a presentation of Kawneer products, an innovation and technology center, sustainability and incorporating the local identity of Montpellier.
The design includes a publicly accessible area, a back office and a series of production halls. Instead of creating a single volume, the concept consists of a series of rotated halls. The segmentation of the scheme offers multiple advantages. From the outside, it gives the building a strong character and recognizable exterior. From the inside it offers views to the natural surroundings and allows for additional daylight in the production hall.
Connecting atrium
All public and office spaces are placed in the first segment. The open glass façade along the main road gives the company a transparent identity. In this segment, a large atrium stretches from the ground floor to the roof to allow for extra daylight. This central heart also connects the office to the production hall. Glass walls enhance the visual relations to create a stronger bond between the different departments. Each of the segments of the production hall features a large window at the end. Prints of iconic buildings from Montpellier give each segment a recognizable identity.
Colophon
Project
Kawneer France Headquarters
Description
Headquarters with production facilities and logistics
Client
Kawneer France
Location
Vendargues, France
Surface
40.000m²
Date
2013-2014
Services
Landscape Design, Architecture, Interior Design and Workplace Design
Team
Michiel Hofman, Barbara Dujardin, Clara Hernandez, Pier Helder, Silvia Pecci and Roel Driever
Advisor building cost
Bremen Bouwadviseurs
Visualizations
A2 Studio
