Taking historical identity a step further

The focus here was not on developing a stand-alone structure, but the careful enhancement of an established ensemble as part of a long-term site development plan. With its scale and proportions, the building blends in seamlessly with the surrounding neighbourhood. Its clean geometry and minimalist design create a deliberately contemporary contrast to the historic building fabric. At the same time, the façade design draws on the history of the site. The timber curtain walling reflects the tradition of the former parquet factory and creates a visible link between the site's industrial heritage and its future use.

Flexible office space for different business structures has been created across approx. 2200 m² of usable area. Each level can be used independently and enables long-term adaptation to changing requirements. The space is complemented by a green roof terrace, offering the building users a shared space with a view out over Ravensburg. For this project, sustainability was not limited to the building services; it was seen as a holistic planning task. As a result, the building meets the requirements of the German Quality Seal for Sustainable Buildings (QNG) and makes use of resource-efficient materials as well as a design that is built to last. For example, recycled concrete was used in the foundations and parts of the load-bearing structure. Some building components and façade units were designed so that they could be sorted by type and recycled later. Heat pump technology and photovoltaics enhance the energy concept. Circularity was incorporated early in the planning stage, with the façade construction, insulation and substructure being designed to enable individual components to be dismantled separately at a later date and fed back into the material cycle. Superficial gestures and fleeting design trends were avoided. Instead, the architects opted for a deliberately understated style, durable materials, precise details and a subdued colour scheme.

Particular emphasis was placed on the design of the building envelope. In order to reduce the many interfaces that traditionally exist between windows, sun shading, safety barriers and façade attachments, windows from the Schüco AWS 75.SI Perfect system were used. The corresponding components are assembled into a single solution in the factory. Sun shading, safety barriers and other functions are no longer added on site as separate components from different trades; instead, they are an integral part of the window system. This considerably reduces the number of interfaces and simplifies the planning and installation process. The system also supports the architectural approach of the building in terms of design. Integrating the functions into the window construction enables an understated, precise façade appearance with clean lines and a high-quality design. In this way, the building envelope complements the minimalist architectural style of the newbuild and continues the dialogue between the historic fabric of the building and contemporary architecture.