Center for Plant Molecular Biology - ZMBP

The structure, which is inserted into the slope, follows the topography. A 3 to 5-storey, 55 m long and 55 m wide building develops around an inner courtyard, which borders the campus area to the east with a clear building edge. The internal organization of the ZMBP with its 16 independent research groups is based on open-plan structures that can be flexibly divided into 30 to 700^m2 laboratory areas. Central facilities such as workshops and an isotope laboratory as well as a pool of teaching rooms are available to all institutes. Inclined bars and horizontal bands of exposed concrete in combination with a glass façade behind them characterize the appearance of the institute building.

The load-bearing structure of the new building is designed as a reinforced concrete skeleton construction with flat ceilings. Two different load-bearing systems were combined: In the laboratory areas, single columns were provided due to the high demands on flexibility for building services installations, changes of use and an overall economical system. In the office areas, the decision was made to use free-standing, bracing wall panels. Columns, ceilings and STB walls were executed in exposed concrete quality and remain untreated. Due to the high wind loads and the large difference in level to the outdoor facilities, the exterior façade was fitted with precast concrete curtain wall elements as plaster and maintenance balconies. The vertical elements of the maintenance balconies are inclined alternately to the left and right, similar to the branches of plants, and thus take up the theme of "nature" in the architecture of the building envelope.

TWP: Schweitzer GmbH Consulting Engineers, Saarbrücken