PHARMACEUTICAL PLANT AND ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
CLIENT: HOECHST HELLAS S.A.,1969 - 1972
Owing to the structure and activities of the company - the character and importance of its products, as well as its international scope of business - the design aimed at excellent operation, realistic construction cost and straightforward aesthetic appearance of the plant. The special requirements of the brief, for the example, spaces planned to serve a variety of functions of expand in size, complicated mechanical and electrical installations, special sun protection, as well as the heterogeneous soil conditions, have all been solved by adopting an orthodox method of construction and by using exclusively elements and structural details dictated by the building requirements.
The five-storey administration building, with a total area of close to 4000 square meters, houses the administrative offices, a color-testing laboratory and the computer department. The entrance forms an independent volume, to be joined in the future to a second wing. The structure is formed by pre-stressed, five-storey frames leaving a column-free interior. The frame columns punctuate both elevations and have low beams which facilitate duct passage.
The pharmaceutical building consists of three sections. In the production area, a steel suspended ceiling is placed below all piping and ducts feeding the equipment, thereby facilitating machinery installation and removal without production interruption. The storage area may also be used as a production area. The factory’s technical administration occupies two floors. The pharmaceutical building has the potential to expand to four times its initial size, while the technical administration division can be expanded in two directions parallel to the factory.
The cafeteria building has a column-free restaurant, accommodating 120 people, which can also be used for films and lectures. There is an adjacent dining room for quests.
The administration, pharmaceutical and cafeteria buildings’ windows are sealed to facilitate operational efficiency of the air-conditioning system.
The complex also contains a warehouse capable of tripling in size in the future, a power station and a gatehouse.
Careful attention was given to the landscaping of the site, and to providing pleasant surroundings without segregation for both, office staff and workers.
The construction completed in 1972.