The project was to convert an old factory next to the train station in schlieren Switzerland, into a new high tech media agency for mediaxis mpg. The client loved the atmosphere of the station as a metaphor of his high tech media lab, seeing the rails like channels of information, taking you to a next step of the internet. So the architects created a space station where one already meets the techniques of the future.

As an entrance the architects built a huge concrete alien. Its face was actually tracing the old façade of the building; two old windows served as the alien eyes.

The alien stands as an icon one can refer to and get to like. In architectural terms, it gave the old building a modern, cubistic façade, which now is stronger than the old factory shape.

The logo aiming at space

To pursue the alien message we painted the logo on the roof for other aliens to see or just in case Google takes new photos from space for the Google map.

High tech and anarchy

The architects created the high tech media lab using all the latest technologies in a very rigid old factory space. A huge slab was cut out of the concrete ceiling to get a high entrance hall placing the meeting room on its gallery level. The act of cutting out concrete and making it visible stands for the ancient times of physical presence, which the architects call anarchy. Around the upper part of the space, a very fine and precise light façade, actually a light space, floats above and in between the old concrete.

This inner light façade represents precision and gives the whole space station a warm atmosphere.

As the architecture budget was fixed (luckily not too tight) the architects focused on where and how to intervene. Old concrete surfaces were sanded down and the light façade was placed in front of the old façade. The floors are made of asphalt, to enhance the urban feeling, and the light façade are made of scobalit polycarbonate panels.

Client:
Mediaxis-MPG AG

Date:
2008

Location:
Schlieren, Switzerland

Floor Area:
300 sqm

Architect:
Gus Wüstemann

Project Team:
Marta B.Goñi

Design:
Gus Wüstemann

Drawings / Text:
Gus Wüstemann

Photoes:
Bruno Helbling