Staatspreis Architektur 2016

OMICRON, a globally active company, is currently expanding its development center in Vorarlberg, Austria. This involves the erection of a new building that provides space for approximately 200 office workplaces and additional facilities. The concepts realized in the already existing OMICRON building are continued:

adaptable office units are situated around three open courtyards. These so called ‘hotspots’ function as hubs that connect the different sections of the building. Their design aims at stimulating communication and creative thinking. Planning and realization of the hotspots took place in close collaboration with Martin Rauch and Anna Heringer (clay), Border Architects (light ceilings) and Eichinger Offices (wood). The green roof compensates for the loss of green space as a consequence of the construction of the new building.

OMICRON’s workplace culture emphasizes flat hierarchies as well as open and transparent communication. This is reflected in the architecture. The courtyards feature an open layout and are easily accessible for employees and visitors. Meeting rooms, storage spaces and other facilities are situated on the ground floor. The upper floors host office units. Their size can be easily adapted in order to accommodate the needs of the different teams. The contrast between structured tasks that demand high concentration, and creative thinking tasks that require an environment without artificial limits, is reflected in the architecture.

The high quality working places are equipped with cooling ceilings and most office units have direct access to the exterior. The lighting arrangements are designed to help foster the well-being of the employees. Special glass panes, which facilitate the flow of the natural light, are used. The artificial lighting emulates the daylight and changes over the course of the day.

The building is energetically optimized. Future extensions are possible by connecting the already existing building with the newly constructed one. This next step would create another 150 working places.


Credits

Client: OMICRON electronics GmbH
Site: A-6833 Klaus, Oberes Ried 1
Architecture: Dietrich | Untertrifaller
Management: P. Nußbaumer, R. Österle
Construction 2012-2014
Surface 12.770 m²
Volume 52.700 m³
Costs 31,5 Mio Euro
Number 200 Working places
Prizes: 2014 Best Working Place Austria

Partner
hotspot body: Eichinger Offices, Vienna (A) / hotspot crossing
border: A. Heringer, Laufen (D) + M. Rauch, Schlins (A) / hotspots
daylight roof: Border Architecture, Amsterdam (NL) / structural
engineering: GBD, Dornbirn (A) / structural engineering timber:
Merz Kley Partner, Dornbirn (A) / technical systems: e-plus, Egg
(A); team gmi, Schaan (FL) / acoustics: Müller BBM, Planegg (D)
/ lighting: Bartenbach, Aldrans (A); Hecht, Rankweil (A) / controlling:
Pfaller, Nürnberg (D)