WIKA Research & Development Center, Klingenberg
How did we use good architecture to promote R&D?
It’s a great challenge to bring production, development, and progress into line. After all, each of these fields had its own requirements and standards. We solved the task with the new innovation center for the WIKA company. The new build we designed connects all three usages and ensures a striking CI for the market leader in pressure and temperature measuring technology. How did we achieve this? By great openness and transparency between the respective working areas. Because successful R&D is teamwork.
Clear structures, meeting points, lines of vision between the departments and views out over the gorgeous countryside: The new WIKA Development Center in Klingenberg/Main offers all of that. The complex integrates all departments that are involved in the product and solutions innovation process, even labs and the machinery. Flexible office structures support the concept of keeping everything close at hand and ensuring effective communication. The comb-shaped footprint affords views out over the vineyards and thus forges attractive links between nature, architecture, and technology.
The entrance area is a foyer, assembly hall, and exhibition space rolled into one. The so-called marketplace functions as a presentation and event area, offering plenty of space for interaction, for staff meetings, and events. At the same time, it is a showroom for the company’s development effort. Moreover, you can look into the 2,800-square-meter production hall from here, too.
We connected workshops and production facilities, created clear structures and lines of vision.
“Architecture, innovation and R&D go hand in hand.”
Transparency, openness and highly enjoyable interiors are the key ideas underlying the Innovation Center. Views inwards and outwards serve to interlink all the areas and foster a sense of place.