Innovation Factory Heilbronn by Waechter + Waechter

In Heilbronn's Neckaruferpark, not far from the Buga site, a cube with a scaled glass façade is reflected in the water. The striking white glazed timber construction of V-shaped columns is clearly visible through the highly transparent baffle plate of the double facade. The architecture of Waechter + Waechter's new business incubator is intended to radiate sustainability, engineering skill and inventiveness.

Event rooms and workshops for all tenants are arranged around the atrium on the ground floor. © Achim Birnbaum

Inside, the cube creates space for start-ups of different sizes to achieve even better results through transdisciplinary dialogue. At least that was the aim of Felix and Sybille Waechter and their team of architects. So they grouped the workspaces around a five-storey atrium. 

The glazed skylight above the atrium brings daylight into the depths of the building. © Brigida González

Tea kitchens in the galleries encourage dialogue, and the fire protection concept with sprinkler system allows transparent views throughout the building. The 8 m deep, column-free offices are spanned by prefabricated timber composite ceilings. The timber frames of the external walls with stiffening V-columns were also delivered to the site as prefabricated elements.

The V-shaped columns in the facade allow for column-free work areas. © Brigida González

The scaled baffle plate of the double skin facade that wraps around the building protects the maintenance corridor, timber structure and textile sunscreen from the elements. The space between the facades is diagonally ventilated to prevent excessive air infiltration and to allow fumes to escape quickly. Fire flashover is prevented by baffles under the grating maintenance walkway. The scaled arrangement of the baffle plate allows fresh air to enter at its lower edge. The air then exits at the top of the adjacent panel, creating a diagonal airflow. In every second field, the bulkhead plate closes the air gap under the baffle disc to enable this effect.

Read more in Detail 11.2024 and in our databank Detail Inspiration.