Spot landing in the orchard
BMG MIS, Science Parc II, Eselsberg, Ulm
High-tech in the green: Both the ecological and physical footprint are minimal. The unconventional vertical alignment of this complex industrial facility earned us first prize in the competition and secured the highest KfW-ERP funding level for environmental and energy efficiency.
Following our success in the architectural competition, BMG MIS (formerly AEG MIS), a system and software company specializing in LCD information systems, commissioned us with the integrated design of a new operations building in Ulm. The forecasted company growth, the need for optimized process areas, and improved workflow efficiency were key parameters for a rigorous and functionally driven concept. Our design resulted in an environmentally and energy-efficient structure, where a clever vertical stacking of production areas significantly minimized the building’s physical and ecological footprint.
Green Factory – ecology and sustainability
The compact structure is set on an unspoiled natural site, surrounded by fruit trees. The sealed surface area is reduced to an absolute minimum, with even typical parking areas integrated within the building volume. Greened internal and external courtyards structure the compact building and maximize natural ventilation and daylighting. This ensures that all users benefit from the surrounding landscape.
The building appears open in all aspects. Horizontal and vertical sightlines create transparency. Communication between different functional areas is encouraged by visually dissolving their boundaries.
Matthias Wehrle
Architect, Partner, Managing Director in Zurich
Prioritizing the use of renewable building materials, the roof structure of the assembly hall was designed as an all-timber construction. The loadbearing facade structure of the office section consists of prefabricated timber-sandwich elements. All roof surfaces are extensively greened. With 85% renewable energy usage, the building reduces its primary annual energy demand by more than 20% compared to reference buildings. As a result, it qualified for the highest funding level of the KfW-ERP environmental and energy efficiency program.
Urban integration
The compact structure is set back from the road, blending seamlessly into the topography and rural surroundings. In contrast to the heterogeneous urban context, the operations building presents itself as a cohesive entity, reinforced by a carefully selected facade palette. Clad in silver-grey coated steel panels and complemented by silver-grey sunshades on the glazed areas, the building is functionally divided into three clearly distinguishable sections: the two-story production area, accommodating spaces with varying cleanroom and spatial requirements; the assembly hall; and the office, laboratory, and presentation areas. Each component and functional unit can be linearly expanded independently as needed.
Only by fully grasping the complexity of a project can we begin to challenge existing requirements, explore alternative solutions, and propose better outcomes.
Matthias Wehrle
Architect, Partner, Managing Director in Zurich
