Given the increasing trend towards clean, quiet manufacturing industries, the potential exists to create new kinds of neighbourhood, which can integrate places to live, work and play.
In 1988 a masterplan was established to integrate the new-technology companies -which are replacing the old heavy industries of the Ruhr within an established residential district of Duisburg in the Ruhr heartland. The masterplan creates a landscaped public park and three new buildings: the Business Promotion Centre, Telematic Centre and the Microelectronic Centre the largest building on the site. The project demonstrates how areas for living and working can coexist harmoniously.
The Microelectronic Centre provides multi-use flexible accommodation, such as laboratories, production areas, classrooms, offices and meeting rooms, appropriate for the microelectronics industry. The first phase of development provides 12,000 square metres. Later phases will create a total of 37,000 square metres.
Within an overall climatic envelope, three fingers of accommodation are articulated by two glazed atria, which create a sheltered buffer zone for exhibitions and cafes. These atria are entered directly from the surrounding public park, which covers half the masterplan site and forms the main circulation route between the buildings. Views from the workspaces, daylight and fresh air quality are enhanced by this green space. It is also a significant new amenity for the surrounding residential areas.
As with the other buildings in the development, energy conservation is a key issue. Passive environmental systems are used wherever possible. The building combines external shading with natural ventilation for all the perimeter offices. It also draws on district heating from the citys coal-fired generator. In this way energy usage is reduced and the use of active climate-control systems is minimised.
Client:
Gesellschaft für Technologieförderung und Technolo
Consultants:
Dr Ing Reinhold Meyer, Hohler & Partner, Ebert Ingenieur, Emmer Pfenninger Partner AG, Kaiser Bautechnik