GERMAN GREEN STARTUP FACTORY PHASE I

Initiated by the German Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, the project is located in the Kunshan German Industry Park (GIP) and will be the first pioneer Green factory project in China according to German energy efficient building standard. The concept of the partner plant is to provide production facilities for small and medium-sized German companies that are still building up their business in China. For those needs MUDI designed a flexible factory building with shared infrastructure facilities and an office floor where auxiliary functions and the secretariat are shared as well.

The building is shaped by its functions: factory area at ground level and office space above. The lobby with its cantilevered canopy acts as the transition area and it is shifted asymmetrically into the building volume. The lobby is designed to represent the welcome point for guest—it is impressive in its dimensions and the ribbed concrete ceiling with its glazed infill brings lots of daylight into the area.

Single run stairs emphasize the character of the space and connects the ground floor with the mezzanine that offers space for a small cafeteria. The cafeteria is to be used by the staff in break times and thus also is the meeting and communication point between the workers of the factory and the employees of the offices. This space ends at the top floor and holds a large meeting room at the east side that can be used by all participating companies.

The office level has a sloped roof, which opens to the east direction with a maximum height of 4.2 m. From here natural light is brought deep into the room and therefore the use of artificial lighting is reduced to a minimum. The open office areas with shared workspaces are arranged at this side of the building, the separated office space for managers are arranged at the opposite side, facing west.