heri&salli inscribes angular volume inside timber frame for office off

heri&salli inscribes angular volume inside timber frame for office off
photo © paul ott
all images courtesy of heri&salli

to create a new home for an austrian façade systems company, vienna-based architecture practice heri&salli have designed ‘office off,’ composing an angular building mass within an external timber frame. the inner shell is comprised of various intersecting folded planes, which are wrapped in wood shingles. additionally, aluminum-clad rectangular volumes protrude outward from the envelope, in line with the overall structural grid.

seeking to promote an improved quality of life for employees, the project incorporates leisure activities into the program, including fitness facilities, lounge areas, sleeping rooms, outdoor patios, swimming pool, and a climbing wall occupying the 3-story entrance atrium. the exterior beams are similarly utilized for belayed rope ascents.

the building’s envelope of intersecting folded planes contrasts its larger timber structural grid
photo © paul ott

the building is organized around a central atrium, containing vertical circulation. the ground floor contains an entrance hall and meeting room, while the main common area and cooking facility are located on a slightly higher level. the office spaces and sleeping rooms are situated on the upper most floor. all of the furnishings were custom designed, including work and conference tables, shelves, and wardrobes.

rectangular clad volumes protrude from the envelope to provide views and balconies
photo © paul ott

the office building’s design carefully considers energy consumption, through a thermally resistance envelope and efficient systems. to reduce its dependence on the local power grid, 70% of the roof landscape are covered with photovoltaic panels. the arrangement and operability of protruding rectangular volumes allows for passive cooling at night during the warmer summer months.

the office building includes an outdoor swimming pool for employee use
photo © paul ott

wood materials characterize the structure, with shingle cladding and exposed timber beams and columns
photos © paul ott

a conference room opens onto the entry hall
photo © paul ott

spruce boards cover the majority of interior walls and staircases
photos © paul ott

the picture frame volumes are aligned with the overall structural frame
photo © paul ott

the building’s systems have been designed for reduced dependency on local power grid
photo © paul ott

photo © paul ott

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project info:

architecture / design: heri & salli
team: klaus molterer
client: FOB – face of buildings
start of construction: fall 2012
completion: winter 2013

consultants:

timber: timber oswald gmbH
construction documentation: architecture office piniel, heri & salli
structural design: RWT plus ZT gmbH
building physics: dr. pillar gmbH
engineering: karner house gmbH
electrical: electrical heißenberger
façade system: aluminum steel king
builder: pfnier & co gmbH
bitumen surfacer: ing norbert seifner gmbH
roofing: plumber + glazier moser gmbH
wood shingles: clapboard power team
locksmith / furniture: stahlundform
lift technology: AUFZUGE friedl gmbh
photography: paul ott