Arstiderne architects, a division of architectural and engineering consultancy Sweco, has transformed a large industrial building into an open plan office to house the 180 Sweco employees at a location near Aarhus, Denmark.
The design retains much of the heritage of the old building, including its curved sawtooth roof and skylights, while insulating it to high standards and transforming the interior to meet the key objective of fulfilling UN Sustainable Development goals.
The architects are particularly proud of the way the old building has responded to the conversion into an employee and client-friendly showplace, with an energising ambiance. While most staff members work in large open plan spaces, they benefit from several smaller self-contained rooms in the centre of the building.
These box-like structures’ design on the original concrete floor contrasts well with the precise finish on their walls. These are clad with Troldtekt acoustic panels in an ultrafine finish, creating a high performance and aesthetically pleasing appearance.
The ceilings and some walls are clad with standard acoustic panels, while specific areas have been decorated with Troldtekt line. The lengthwise surface grooves form a continuous pattern across the partitions and reception areas, adding interesting texture and depth.
Troldtekt was specified across the scheme for its sustainable characteristics coupled with superior acoustics to provide a comfortable working environment. Thus, the overall redesign of the interior strikes an impressive balance between the original industrial construction on the one hand and human scale on the other, with the textured surfaces creating a sense of companionship.
Troldtekt’s natural and inherently sustainable panels are available in a variety of different surfaces and colours, and contributes positively to a building’s BREEAM, DGNB and LEED ratings.
In addition to its high sound absorption and tactile surface, it offers high durability and low-cost lifecycle performance. Available in various sizes and in four grades from extreme fine to coarse, the panels can be left untreated or painted in virtually any RAL colour.
