In order to be able to develop their own products and guarantee a high level of quality, companies have to rely on innovation-oriented in-house research. An essential prerequisite for research is competent personnel and modern laboratories and offices. A new in-house research and development centre for steel production has been created for voestalpine Stahl GmbH in Linz, Austria, one of the leading companies in steel production.

The two-storey building was erected on the factory site on a U-shaped inner courtyard. It is connected with the existing buildings via a bridge-type structure.
The architectural design for the new building was produced by pbr. It was requested that references to the company’s products and developments be visible on the building envelope.  For this purpose, innovative coating systems from the in-house research and development department were used and applied specifically on the planned steel facade for the new building.

In order to cloak the building in a shiny, crystal-like surface, the facade was designed as a smooth flush steel-sheet skin with special paint coating, including silver-coated window elements without frames.

The building houses research laboratories, which are divided by glazed partition walls and which can therefore be experienced by customers and visitors. The results of in-house research and production are displayed in the laboratory building in the form of exhibited workpieces. Open work structures and generous meeting points provide the space for a communicative, open atmosphere. The meeting points and meeting rooms in the bridge to the existing building are distinguished from the other work areas in that the walls are clad in timber panelling and the floors have a timber finish, providing a distinct feel to the area. At the transition to the neighbouring existing building, where the two corridors cross, another communication zone was created similar to the other meeting points.

New construction of a logistics office for voestalpine Stahl GmbH, Linz

In addition, pbr provided the overall design for the new construction of a logistics office and a workshop area in the period from 2012 to 2015. This was based on an overall concept for accessing various factory areas and on creating a link to the already existing skywalk.

By constructing a new extension to the LD3 factory hall it was possible to create a defined end point to the circulation system, including an access to the LD3 factory hall. The new logistics office is used for the control of in-house processes and was located at the end point of the skywalk. The glazed separating walls between the workshop areas create light and friendly spaces, thus ensuring optimum work processes and a comfortable atmosphere. The design of the interior fit-out and furnishing was produced by the VARGA architectural practice. The stairwell tower and the logistics office were largely designed in prefabricated element construction in order to ensure that the production processes in that area were not obstructed. This also helped to reduce the construction period and the amount of scaffolding required for construction.

In addition, pbr provided the overall design for the new construction of a logistics office and a workshop area in the period from 2012 to 2015.This was based on an overall concept for accessing various factory areas and on creating a link to the already existing skywalk.

By constructing a new extension to the LD3 factory hall it was possible to create a defined end point to the circulation system, including an access to the LD3 factory hall.The new logistics office is used for the control of in-house processes and was located at the end point of the skywalk.The glazed separating walls between the workshop areas create light and friendly spaces,thus ensuring optimum work processes and a comfortable atmosphere.The design of the interior fit-out and furnishing was produced by the VARGA architectural practice.The stairwell tower and the logistics office were largely designed in prefabricated element construction in order to ensure that the production processes in that area were not obstructed.This also helped to reduce the construction period and the amount of scaffolding required for construction.