Conversion of Storage Hall
Basic information
Project Title
Full project title
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Project Description
This building demonstrated how with a low budget, a whole new life can be brought to an inconspicuous storage building. Today it is an everyday workplace for the company’s management and the fitness studio serves all the employees well. We are delighted that it was possible to create a distinctive building within the monotonous suburban industrial build environment. Distinctive form perfectly manifests it’s social nature whilst hinting the company’s pharmaceutical profile.
Project Region
EU Programme or fund
Description of the project
Summary
In 2016, our office was visited by the representants of a big Warsaw pharmaceutical company. We discussed an adaptation of an industrial storage building into an office building with a fitness studio with a low budget at our disposal. From the beginning we have supported our Clients sustainable approach and the idea of conversion rather than creation of a new building.
Key objectives for sustainability
Our goal was to create a fully functional office and recreational space, assuming the preservation and re-use of the building structure. We achieved this with minimal interference. The entire structure of the building has been preserved. The new façade lowers the operating costs of the building. Large glazing introduces the façades of the ground floor and corridor walls, allowing for natural lighting of the deep passage of the building. We used materials sparingly. The walls we left are without any additional finishing. The open multifunctional mezzanine has been lit with round skylights, thanks to which the hall does not overheat. Most importantly, the way the furcation is arranged in the building makes it used not only during working hours, but also in the evenings and weekends.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
Low budget led to pragmatic and affordable material solutions. We decided to replace 90’ elevation panels with the metallic multi-layer panels. The roof remained untouched due to its existing structure being very economical and expensive to replace. It was painted with the anticorrosive paint in colour matching the facade. The new glass facade on the ground floor protrudes the panels. Round polycarbonate skylights were chosen as a low-cost solution for providing sunlight to the mezzanine. Their placement reflected the building structure. Slab and walls were painted dark. One wall was left without a finishing, exposing the concrete blocks. The conference rooms were divided with movable walls and receive additional lighting through the glazed corridors.
Key objectives for inclusion
Client’s initial idea was to arrange the 90s high hall into offices and fitness studio. We designed two options: one following the Brief and the second one proposing to divide the hall into two stories. In the second option, the ground floor houses spacious offices with a surrounding greenery view, conference rooms, social room and toilets. In this way, it could achieve a big recreation room that spread to the whole mezzanine without any additional support. We surrounded the listing gym with a curtain, that enables separation during banquets and conferences. Gym’s B’O’H with independent access was localised on the ground floor by the toilet block. Both levels are linked by a double-height hall with a staircase.
Results in relation to category
The project shows in a simple and clear way that it is worth giving a new function to buildings. And even those that seem inconspicuous at first glance. In this particular case, this approach has produced a surprising result that would not be possible with a new building designed only for a given function. This inconspicuous project is an example that not only should existing structures be reused, but that it can be cost-effective and better than building a new building.
How Citizens benefit
This building demonstrated how even with a low budget, a whole new life can be brought to an inconspicuous storage building. Today it is an everyday workplace for the company’s management and the fitness studio serves all the employees well. We are delighted that it was possible to create a distinctive building within the monotonous suburban industrial build environment. Facade resembling a pack of tablets can be loosely associated with the company’s business.
Innovative character
The main innovation is the fact that the building that is usually demolished here has been adapted to a new function. Using the structure of the warehouse, we have created a flexible space. Its multifunctionality means that the building is used not only during working hours. It serves as a space for relaxation, meetings and conferences. It changed the way the entire complex works. It is a building that helps to integrate employees and actively spend free time.
