solicitor’s office NCR, Luxemburg (LUX)

project conversion of a former coffee roasting into a solicitor’s office client Wakilha S.A., Luxembourg (LUX) planning services WW+ complete architecture services partner: civil engineering BEST Ingénieurs-Conseils, Luxembourg (LUX) gfa 400m² gv 1.400 m³ start of planning 08/2010 realisation 03/2011 - 08/2011

History

This project involved the building of a former coffee factory, previously used as a kung fu school, and its renovation and extension for use as a solicitor’s office.

Design and utilisation concept

The building’s interior was gutted to revert back to the original generosity of the floor plans. The installation of a large roof window above the restored air space lets natural light seep in through all the floors right down to the entrance hall. These measures as well as the installation of glass partition walls between the office rooms now allow the building to be flooded with light, encouraging communication between employees and clients and revealing exciting spatial views. The top floor boasts an open space that can be used for events or additional office space. The building has been equipped with a decentralised lift installation. The garages were able to be covered by a steel panel structure and therefore designed to be support-free. A new timber cube was erected above this structure, accommodating the kitchen, library and a conference room. The façade visible from the main road was not changed, so as to retain the existing charm of the building.

Energy concept

For energy efficiency purposes, the following conversion measures were carried out: the walls feature ETICS, the roof surface was insulated, additional window openings were created and existing windows replaced. Windows were also provided with an outer textile sun protection made of carbon fibre (‘zip-SCREEN‘).

Materiality

The objective was to restore the building’s original industrial character. Inner walls and ceilings were supplemented or restored with rough plaster or simple concrete surfaces, while existing concrete floors were given a simple coat of paint.