By Oppenheim Architecture + Design
Scope: 30,000 SF corporate headquarters, competition entry (first place)
Location: Jona, Switzerland
Photos by: Martin Rütschi
The Ena Garden design headquarters lies along the shores of the Obersee in Switzerland, it’s wooden exterior blends into the landscape, responding to the natural environment, boundary lines and zoning conditions.
The project includes greenhouses, warehouses, workshops, showrooms and administrative areas. The sequence of these components contributes to the volumetric arrangement of the building - all areas are connected by a service corridor that runs along the building and organizes not only the circulation between spaces, but the production line of the company itself.
The building’s architectural simplicity is reinforced by the necessity of architectural sobriety and respect for the elements and nature at the site. The building materials used all merge with the natural environment externally, both in aesthetical terms, internally and in functional terms. Energy efficiency was decisive in the design process, so the project, consequently, is based entirely on the idea of taking advantage of natural resources such as natural light, natural insulating systems and natural energy conservation systems such as geothermal exchange, green roofs, etc. ‘Green’ materials such as reclaimed wood and energy efficient fixtures are also used for a greater building performance and to maintain longevity.
