SUSTAINABLE BUILDING
FLOATING ARCHITECTURE
wooden cubes afford spectacular vistas of
the Styrian landscape.
WORK SPACES WITH
STUNNING VIEWS
The sophisticated Bene furnishing
scheme combines the generous open
communication areas inside the
connecting structure with private areas for
concentration. The office staff work in
single and open-plan offices extending on
two floors inside the oblong wooden cube
structure. Featuring clear geometric forms
the offices appear open toward the inside
thanks to transparent, flush mounted RG
glass partition walls.
Red K2 sideboards delineate the
individual work spaces, creating separate
areas for concentration, whilst still
enabling views across the entire floor
he new headquarters for glass, spans two storeys and houses the thanks to their low height (114 cm). This
T
Mayr-Melnhof – an Austrian foyer and reception area. The transparent arrangement embodies Bene’s notion of
wood processing company – has glass cube breaks up the solidity of the corporate culture as a continuous process
added an architectural highlight 80-meter-tall wooden frame and fuses of experiencing and learning. This is
to the Styrian landscape. The their different architectural qualities. accomplished at Mayr-Melnhof by
wooden structure appears to float, skilfully The architectural interplay of open combining dynamism, transparency and
reflecting the firm’s expertise. Nussmüller versus closed, light versus heavy, glass privacy. The result is an interior which
architects joined forces with Bene to versus wood, exemplifies the creative promotes work and the exchange of
conjure up a light and spacious potential that can occur when opposing information, and which improves
environment that brings together areas for aspects meet, as is the case within a individual motivation by focusing on the
communication and concentration with positive corporate culture. benefit of the entire team. Thus, office
stunning views of the surrounding The pine tree in the centre of the furnishing becomes a vehicle for corporate
landscape. The office furnisher has atrium – from which offices and meeting development.
designed an interior featuring generous rooms radiate away – is the centre of The offices at the wood processing
lounges and flexible offices in inviting attention inside the light-suffused cubic firm were furnished with Bene‘s T-line,
colours. space. Incorporating a cafeteria and whilst AL furniture combined with state-of-
The headquarters’ innovative restaurant the connecting structure the-art media technology was used for
wooden structure, designed by Nussmüller encourages relaxation, simultaneously conference rooms and management
architects, appears to float. Framed by a providing space for informal exchanges offices. Alternating light and dark
stable wood structure with M+M-shaped and communication. The space is hardwood floors help to set the stage for
supports, the building is suspended enhanced by the curves of the Rondo dynamic activities at the office. The
several meters above the ground. This wood chair which accents the room’s pale architects paired champagne coloured
remarkable ensemble consists of two wood structure with its dark brown hues. chairs in the lounges with exclusive walnut
oblong wooden cubes which are Additional lounges are arranged on hardwood flooring. The warm red of the
connected by a glass structure, the office floors. The connecting glass furniture accents the space together with a
suggesting the stability and dynamism of structure and the glass façades of the variety of wood tones. www.bene.com
Mayr-Melnhof Holz Holding AG. The firm
is one of the leading wood processing
enterprises whose roots reach back to the
19th century.
Surrounded by woodland, the green
building adapts well to its environs whilst
showcasing the material wood in an
artistic manner. Wood as a building
material is particularly cost-efficient and
made it possible to complete construction
in only ten months.
INVITING RECEPTION AREA
The connecting structure, made of
40|
SUSTAINABLE FM | MAY 2009
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