On the Malaysian island of Penang NAXNAX Netzwerk Architekturexport member Orange Blu developed master plans for two production sites for the medical company B.Braun Melsungen AG. With the total floor area of 150,000 m², the eight storey building includes administration, production and social functions and is widely visible as a landmark on the island. In 2018, the entrance building at Campus 1 has been completed. NAX spoke with the CEO of Orange Blu, Manuel Schupp, about the project.
NAX: Mr. Schupp, Orange Blu is known for its industrial building designs, which often integrate new construction and planning methods. In Asia, industrial buildings usually look rather conventional. How did you address the aspect of innovation in your project in Penang, Malaysia?
Schupp: The stringent, clear seperation of the goods and personnel logistics ensures an optimal functionality and safety by using vertical and horizontal circulation paths without crossings. For the first time, we used prefabricated concrete columns for the colonnade in exposed concrete quality, external sunscreen, and facades with insulation glass and thermal insulation. It is possible for visitors to get insights into the building and production areas from several guest balconies. Employees were invited to take part in workshops to define the planning requirements. The integration of these planning requirements was presented at the end of the design stage to the employees. The planning teams consisted of Malaysian and German specialist engineers. Up to the end of the design the German client could be assured, that, through the dual commissioning, his expectations were adapted to the local requirements.
NAX: Your buildings are characterised by not being merely functional boxes, rather by expressing different functions in independent extendable building structures. This occurs often in conjunction with highlevel landscaping concepts. Was this possible in Malaysia?
Schupp: Campus 1 consists of two linear buildings, which enclose a central park with attractive leisure possibilities. 100.000 m² for production, logistics with social functions and parking. As a connecting link, a cantine floats over the main entrance. This is the main social meeting point for all levels. An eight storey high-rise office building is visible as a landmark and is also perceivable from the nearby airport in the south. Additionally the buildings had to fullfil special production conditions, for example clean rooms with complex ventilation technology, seperated stairs depending on the cleanroom classification, explosion protection, sterilisation, etc..
NAX: How could you integrate ecological sustainability into your planning?
Schupp: The tropical climate with its high temperatures, humidity and torrential rains requires extended demands for shelter and rain protection. The big tropical roof provides protection for pedestrians in the colonnades. It is made of exposed concrete columns and refers to the local building typology of the „five foot walkways“. These define the picture of the historic city of Georgetown. The building has specifically positioned windows and openings in the facade to allow an insight into the production for people who are walking on the streets above. This transparency creates trust and showcases attractive workplaces. In the same spirit of social sustainability, western production functions were not adopted blindly. Rather, regional, cultural and religious aspects have been integrated into the design. There are single instead of communal dressing rooms for example and attractive Suraus, Muslim prayer rooms.
NAX: Construction costs in Southeast Asia are generally known to be lower than in Germany. Were there any other economical aspects to consider in your project?
Schupp: One of the essential idea of the design was to stack the production levels. Due to this, valuable building ground in the „free trade zone“ was saved, the site used more efficiently. Running costs were reduced through the external sun protection, which reduces solar warming. In the vicinity the use of exterior plaster dominates. This usually becomes mouldy within a few years. All the facades and windows are maintenance-free, metal facades in anodized aluminium. Although at first we had higher building costs, in the end this reduces the costs of the operation. An important factor for this family-owned company.
NAX: Thank you very much, Mr. Schupp, for this interesting insight into your Penang project.