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Architects: IAAD
- Area: 11000 ft²
- Year: 2007
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Photographs:Andre Fanthome
Text description provided by the architects. So what did we do to achieve our objectives? We simply defined and implemented our design principle. We not only leveraged the existing structure to the best use, however, built up its restructuring and material specifications to deliver the objective. Let us explain.
A detailed research of the structure provided us with the confidence of ‘reusing’ an ‘cold and old’ factory building and convert it into a ‘warm and contemporary’ commercial advertising office.We leveraged the shell and its profile to make it contemporary. The ceiling was ‘repaired’ to reinforce the strength. We reduced the mass between the interior and exterior to render continuity of its existing space. And we furthered this continuity through the use of pebble bed that spans from exterior to interior.
Idea was to achieve a low energy – consumption space. Increase the day light inside the building – through maintaining the existing north light openings, and making the east façade transparent. West side of the structure is a complete solid mass, closed office below and service floor above, providing the thermal insulation to the open office and also reducing the HVAC & electrical loads.
Given that the existing building is a 4-5 decades old structure, it required lots of repair. Complete roof waterproofing needed to be redone. Introduction of new structural members had to be done to reinforce the existing structure. Rain water drainage from the roof, which was initially two-way, has been directed in one direction towards the west side.
At the end, the output is what we all are very proud of.IAAD followed a basic principle of stakeholders’ engagement and hence, not only was the team at iaad was in sync with the approach, however, we took the client, our consultants and the vendors through the thinking and got their commitment on this attempt.
