Architecture News Plus (ANP) – Architecture and Design Magazine

Infineon IDC

This is a project by tecARCHITECTURE and it is located at Duisburg, Germany. There are eight images for Infineon IDC.

: © Stefan Schilling

Project images

Designer's statement

Concept

This building is a specialized studio building for designers of micro technology components. We call it the monastery of the nanometer.

The microcosm of people who think in nanometers is being expressed by a Zen-like water garden surrounded by an organically shaped courtyard building. Whereas the outside space is loud and hectic, the courtyard allows those within to defocus on to a calm and controlled environment.

The art of arranging grids of conducting material in multiple layers, possibly even storing an entire encyclopedia on the area of a thumbnail, represents the key technology of the information age and reflects what takes place inside this organic shape.

Think small

Even more fascinating than the “think big” strategy of the eighties are the revelations about the complexity of small spaces. From chemistry to the discovery of the DNA to Nano technology, societies are moving away from the equation of mass equals potential.

The creators of these technologies have to be able to think in fairly abstract terms about very real uses and functions.

Functionality

This building is located on an open green site, forming an intimate internal space that builds opportunities for exchange and communication within an interdisciplinary company context. The courtyard also allows for visual connections between the various company disciplines, encouraging a creative formal and informal exchange of information.

The building is highly sustainable in construction and energy use. It is built as a prefabricated concrete shell with thermally activated surfaces for heating and cooling. The floor plan is laid out so that all office spaces can be naturally ventilated and lit. Thus, energy consumption of the building can be minimalized.

The cladding consists of maintenance free wood composite panels. The low E insulated glass has sensored outside bris – soleil to reduce solar impact. The design portrays a symbiosis between nature and architecture, thus being consistent with its functional and ecological qualities.