Architecture strengthens the attractiveness of the global market leader

The Komax working environment at the headquarters in Switzerland combines production halls, office space and logistics infrastructure under one roof. The architecture has provided an optimal space for the visionary collaboration model of vertical production. 

Following strategic planning and basic evaluation, Komax invited five architectural firms to submit a study for the construction of a new factory building in 2015. It entrusted the architects Graber & Steiger from Lucerne with the implementation of their proposal. In January 2020, Komax moved into its expanded headquarters in Dierikon – a popular workplace among its employees.

Flexible use for global trends

How can a new building create the best possible conditions to be prepared for keeping up with global trends? Through maximum flexibility! The high flexibility of use is supported by connected, freely usable floors – in other words, by the greatest possible openness in terms of spatial requirements. The five floors above the ground floor can accommodate different uses for production, research and development, and administration. Column-free halls allow an extremely high degree of flexibility in the arrangement of workrooms, production lines and open-plan offices.

Ideal for communicating and sharing expertise

The open atrium covering four floors promotes a lively company culture; employees in development, production, administration and sales get inspiration by stopping for an informal chat and sharing ideas. Coffee and meeting zones are open to production employees and to those in the offices. This makes the factory a campus of knowledge and skills. In operations and logistics, the focus is on optimum material flow and efficient processes. The space-saving, vertically designed production – which is connected via lifts (3 x 7 m) – is extraordinary. The new Komax building strengthens interdisciplinary collaboration in many ways and the newly created architecture is a groundbreaking example of this.

The optimal architectural design enables flexible use 

As a modular component, the new building is networked with the existing building. The huge supporting structure forms a framework that supports the changing operational developments. The building has natural ventilation and lighting, thermal insulation and night cooling thanks to a two-layer building envelope and architectural elements. All climate-friendly and low-tech. An atrium and transparent facade areas allow plenty of soft daylight to penetrate the interior. Glass, steel and wooden fixtures cover the need for flexible, removable partitions.