Birk Heilmeyer und Frenzel Architekten

Description

Located to the east of the Alter Schlachthof area of Karlsruhe, the FUX is adjacent to Messplatz, a square that is used throughout the year for various events. In line with the expected intensive use of the building and the industrial history of the area, FUX has been designed as a contemporary loft building. It displays a rational structure based on a grid of 3.75 m, which allows any desired office size to be realised. The offset of the upper cubature remains visible in the interior. The resulting expansion of the building provides space for access cores and communication areas on the different levels. Voids interconnect the communication areas across all floors. The efficient organisation of the interior space allows for selective spatial expansion and passages, which lends the building generosity despite the strict requirements. The industrial touch is accentuated by the use of semifinished products and by a few specific highlights in the furniture as a contrast. The ambitious budgetary goals could be met by optimising the space and cubic capacity, keeping the choice of industrial materials to a minimum and an adequate technical concept. Cost-effective rental space in a refined, unpretentious building shell with loft character can thus be offered to potential users. The exposed concrete ceilings are suitable for the use of thermal component activation. In this way, a geothermal heating and cooling system is employed for heating and air conditioning.