‘WORKING BOX’ FIS-SST OFFICE BUILDING

An office building designed at the request of FIS-SST company. The facility is located in the revitalized postindustrial space called Education and Business Centre "New Gliwice". The intention of the Local Development Agency, which owns the Center, was to create favorable conditions for enterprises of modern technology and redevelopment of the site into a technology park. Construction of FIS-SST office building is the result of these actions and an element of revitalization of brownfield sites. As the first building in the area it became the nucleus of creation of new public spaces in the Center.

Challenges

• a small property in the context of large historical buildings,
• foundation on very weak grounds,
• protection from light in offices,
• low cost of implementation,
• the possibility of expansion of the object,
• getting interesting architectural effect

Diagnosis

• unable to compete with big and formally "rich" buildings,
• necessity to emphasize brownfield lineage of the park,
• lack of piling (foundation) because of the cost,
• no possibility of using high-tech solutions: movable blinds, ventilated facades, etc.,
• inability to use expensive materials: large glazing, wall coverings, blinds, aluminum,
• lack of protection from the sun through blinds – poor architectural effect,
• location of the building to allow construction of the second building in the future,
• adjustment of communication system in the building and the plot to the possibility of expansion,
• the need to obtain aesthetic effects at low cost.

Solution

• simple, neutral and synthetic form of the object, the lack of reference in materials to existing buildings so as to blend into the background,

• industrial aesthetics,

• limitation of the object to the ground floor + cheap special type of foundation - stone pillow

• execution of arcades + permanent blinds,

• use of decking material as blinds, simple, technical materials - concrete trim and floors, painting the facade, reducing the number and surface of the eye without losing the architectural effect (by unifying the facade with the blinds).

Benefits for the client

• Investment and operational savings thanks to applied "low-tech" solutions

• satisfaction of the Board of the new facility which is the subject of public interest,

• improving the company image – attractive building attracts new customers,

• free advertisement for the company thanks to “media life" of the building - information and discussion in social media, press interest and numerous publications, the use of the building by the City for promotional purposes.