NEW HEADQUARTERS SCHMITT+SOHN

CZ, Karlovy Vary — 2018
office building
investor, client
SCHMITT+SOHN
architect
Boris Redčenkov, Prokop Tomášek, Jaroslav Wertig
team, collaboration
Cyril Nešleha
visualization
obrazek.org - Michal Nohejl

Location/plot: 
The plot is on the southwest border of the Jenišov village at one of its highest altitudes. It is adjacent to the local road connecting Karlovy Vary and Sokolov. The access to the site is from the north from the local service road – Daimlerova street. Nevertheless, it can be expected that it will be possible to connect it also from the south from Sokolovská in the future. The site is in a slope with the gradient approximately 6 m. The fall and the connection of the site to local roads are important starting factors of the design. 

Concept:
The principal idea was to design one transparent building that would establish a homely background for the staff; an environment that would be a platform for work, presentation and relaxation of employees and visitors; a building reflecting principles of the Schmitt + sohn family business both on the social and technological level. Pure, functional, structured, flexible space with views to the country. 

Layout 
A northwards falling site provides broad views to the panorama of Krušné hory/Ore Mountains/Erzgebirge, and that is why the building is positioned onto the highest part of the plot at the place with best vistas. The mass of the building is divided into clearly structured units that may function separately, but their lateral connections allow that all employees can unrestrictedly meet here. The north-oriented block – and that is the one with the best view out – is allocated for offices. Permanent northern light distributed through large windows is ideal for focused office work. The block allocated for the corporate product, its production and presentation to clients and service background is oriented to the opposite direction. These two units are connected by a shared space – a social and meeting part established by a reception with an atrium, a shared kitchenette, and the auditorium – this way becoming a natural centre of the building. It is important for us that all functions were concentrated into one volume. That is with respect to the short accessed links among different operations on the one hand and to the strengthening of the cohesion and social relations among employees at the same time.

Architecture 
Pure and straightforward architectural form of the design refers to technical aesthetics of industrial products of Schmitt + Sohn and their perfection in detail. The form follows the function and reflects the technological standard. The delicate and precise detailing of the building complements (supports) the corporate philosophy that is reliability, perfection until the very last detail and professional service.

Operation
The layout of individual parts of the building reflects links to access roads. We assume that the central visitor access will be from Daimlerova, and that is also in the future when the plot will also be connected via the local road. That is why the north part of the site is conceived as a representational garden – an orchard providing places to sit down with a visitor or where employees can meet and chat or relax. As a garden through which an unobstructed view opens to the mountain panorama. While the southern side – the northern view – facing the road is formed as handling and parking area – service yard.  It is strictly adjacent to the service and production part of the building.

Structure
The building is founded on a reinforced concrete slab strengthened below load bearing walls.  The load-bearing walls and the roof are also reinforced concrete supported by subtle steel columns. This arrangement establishes an open-space plan allowing for arbitrary layout separated by non-bearing partitions. The façade is a curtain wall with fixed triple glazing.  Operable parts of the façade are solid white aluminium panels making handling more manageable and construction cheaper. Reinforced concrete sidewalls are finished with a white render.  Air change is provided by forced ventilation with heat recovery or by natural ventilation through tilting parts of the façade. The building is heated and cooled from ground drills using heat pumps. The plot is designed as an orchard planted to retain even the long-distance vistas. Alleys are running through the garden complemented by terraces where Schmitt + Sohn lifts can be exhibited or which can be used for relaxation. Rainwater is harvested from roofs into a retention tank and reused for irrigation. The orchard features indispensable trafficable areas

NEW HEADQUARTERS SCHMITT+SOHN

CZ, Karlovy Vary — 2018
office building
investor, client
SCHMITT+SOHN
architect
Boris Redčenkov, Prokop Tomášek, Jaroslav Wertig
team, collaboration
Cyril Nešleha
visualization
obrazek.org - Michal Nohejl

Location/plot: 
The plot is on the southwest border of the Jenišov village at one of its highest altitudes. It is adjacent to the local road connecting Karlovy Vary and Sokolov. The access to the site is from the north from the local service road – Daimlerova street. Nevertheless, it can be expected that it will be possible to connect it also from the south from Sokolovská in the future. The site is in a slope with the gradient approximately 6 m. The fall and the connection of the site to local roads are important starting factors of the design. 

Concept:
The principal idea was to design one transparent building that would establish a homely background for the staff; an environment that would be a platform for work, presentation and relaxation of employees and visitors; a building reflecting principles of the Schmitt + sohn family business both on the social and technological level. Pure, functional, structured, flexible space with views to the country. 

Layout 
A northwards falling site provides broad views to the panorama of Krušné hory/Ore Mountains/Erzgebirge, and that is why the building is positioned onto the highest part of the plot at the place with best vistas. The mass of the building is divided into clearly structured units that may function separately, but their lateral connections allow that all employees can unrestrictedly meet here. The north-oriented block – and that is the one with the best view out – is allocated for offices. Permanent northern light distributed through large windows is ideal for focused office work. The block allocated for the corporate product, its production and presentation to clients and service background is oriented to the opposite direction. These two units are connected by a shared space – a social and meeting part established by a reception with an atrium, a shared kitchenette, and the auditorium – this way becoming a natural centre of the building. It is important for us that all functions were concentrated into one volume. That is with respect to the short accessed links among different operations on the one hand and to the strengthening of the cohesion and social relations among employees at the same time.

Architecture 
Pure and straightforward architectural form of the design refers to technical aesthetics of industrial products of Schmitt + Sohn and their perfection in detail. The form follows the function and reflects the technological standard. The delicate and precise detailing of the building complements (supports) the corporate philosophy that is reliability, perfection until the very last detail and professional service.

Operation
The layout of individual parts of the building reflects links to access roads. We assume that the central visitor access will be from Daimlerova, and that is also in the future when the plot will also be connected via the local road. That is why the north part of the site is conceived as a representational garden – an orchard providing places to sit down with a visitor or where employees can meet and chat or relax. As a garden through which an unobstructed view opens to the mountain panorama. While the southern side – the northern view – facing the road is formed as handling and parking area – service yard.  It is strictly adjacent to the service and production part of the building.

Structure
The building is founded on a reinforced concrete slab strengthened below load bearing walls.  The load-bearing walls and the roof are also reinforced concrete supported by subtle steel columns. This arrangement establishes an open-space plan allowing for arbitrary layout separated by non-bearing partitions. The façade is a curtain wall with fixed triple glazing.  Operable parts of the façade are solid white aluminium panels making handling more manageable and construction cheaper. Reinforced concrete sidewalls are finished with a white render.  Air change is provided by forced ventilation with heat recovery or by natural ventilation through tilting parts of the façade. The building is heated and cooled from ground drills using heat pumps. The plot is designed as an orchard planted to retain even the long-distance vistas. Alleys are running through the garden complemented by terraces where Schmitt + Sohn lifts can be exhibited or which can be used for relaxation. Rainwater is harvested from roofs into a retention tank and reused for irrigation. The orchard features indispensable trafficable areas