Image courtesy Scholten & Baijings

During the Salone del Mobile 2012, MINI presents a probing, thought-provoking and inspiring concept created by the Dutch design duo.

Munich/Milan. On the occasion of the Salone del Mobile 2012, MINI presents the installation COLOUR ONE for MINI by Scholten & Baijings. This work by the internationally renowned Dutch design duo explores the design of a MINI One by examining its composition down to the smallest details and, in so doing, dissecting the design process per se.

The upshot is a thought-provoking and inspiring new interpretation that draws on the familiar stylistic devices of Scholten & Baijings – colour and material – to query the rules of automotive design and shed new light on them.

COLOUR ONE for MINI by Scholten & Baijings runs until 28 April 2012 as part of the INTERNI Legacy exhibition at the University of Milan.

Image courtesy Scholten & Baijings

The path is the goal: automotive design redefined.

Fascinated by the principle of concept cars, Stefan Scholten and Carole Baijings set about deconstructing the MINI One. As MINI's base model, the MINI One inherently and recognisably embodies all the hallmark attributes of the brand, thus presenting itself as the ideal vehicle for tackling fundamental issues concerning all aspects of MINI design.

Scholten & Baijings peeled the MINI One like an onion, layer by layer, while analysing the car as such and its individual components. Applying their highly conceptual approach, the designers questioned virtually every aspect of design along the way, extracting the essence of each component, whether this was revealed at its core or during the dismantling process itself. The Dutch designers complemented the stripped parts with colour and texture in characteristic Scholten & Baijings fashion. In close collaboration with the MINI design team, this not only gave rise to a very free interpretation of the frame, but also spawned so-called “Art Parts” – components that were extracted as a whole from the car and in their ensuing “autonomy” permit an entirely fresh perspective on car design. They include, for example, transparent tyres made of cast resin, which were produced in cooperation with industrial designer and polyester specialist Vincent de Rijk, who has already realised numerous projects for OMA, the architecture firm of Rem Koohlhaas. In their deconstructed form, the seats and seatbelts recall the brand's rally heritage and have been lined with specially developed fabrics. The doors have been taken out and are displayed separately from the car with three-dimensional golden textures or a matt porcelain paint finish developed jointly with MINI Design. Bags integrated into the frame and a sun visor that doubles as a clutch augment the potential spectrum of aesthetic reinterpretation by Scholten & Baijings. Not least of all, the landscape views displayed in the exhibited windows open up a rather special perspective on mobility: depending on whether look to the back, the side or the front, you find yourself looking at the past, present or future.

Image courtesy Scholten & Baijings

In their presentation, Scholten & Baijings once again take up the theme of MINI's racing heritage: COLOUR ONE for MINI by Scholten & Baijings is staged in a stylised racing paddock. Since the process of lending shape to objects is the focus of this work, the exhibits are joined by showcases containing colour and material samples along with inspiring objects, images and snapshots from the creative process behind the installation.

Freedom of scope for fresh thinking at MINI Design.

For a long time now, the MINI design team has been cultivating dialogue with external designers and creative professionals. In addition to fostering creative exchange, the aim is also to discover new aspects of design that go beyond conventional automotive design. “The BMW Group has for many years collaborated with creative people from a wide and varying range of fields,” says Anders Warming, Head of MINI Design. “In Scholten & Baijings we have managed to enlist a design duo who are known worldwide for their eclectic creations and who work at the interface between design and art. Their completely untrammelled view of our design, free of any conventions, is an immense source of inspiration for the entire MINI design team.”

Image courtesy Scholten & Baijings

He goes on: “Indeed, the new functions that Stefan Scholten and Carole Baijings have thought up and the way in which they approach materials makes for a vast reservoir of ideas that has inspired our work from day one.”

Sophistication that goes deep: Scholten & Baijings.

“For us this collaboration is the fulfilment of a dream that virtually any product designer would cherish,” says Stefan Scholten about the significance of this project for his design studio. “Being able to apply our thinking to such a ubiquitous product as the car is a fantastic opportunity for our work. The questions we asked ourselves and the solutions we worked out were an eye-opener for everyone involved. We are delighted with this unique collaboration which also reflects, not least of all, the commitment of every individual concerned.” Yet COLOUR ONE for MINI by Scholten & Baijings doesn't aim to inspire only those immediately involved: “Even outsiders who are open to the work can be inspired by its underlying depth and might even be encouraged to rethink their own way of approaching things,” says Baijings of the inspirational potential of the installation.

Scholten & Baijings combine minimal forms, a balanced use of colour, traditional craftsmanship and industrial production methods to create a unique design style that doesn't necessarily invite the label “Dutch”. The international design scene follows with keen interest the sensitivity, enticing colours and subtle use of materials the designers apply to their creations. Both their independent projects and their commissioned work are collected and exhibited worldwide.

Image courtesy Scholten & Baijings

INTERNI Legacy.

The INTERNI Legacy exhibition staged by the renowned Italian design magazine INTERNI presents MINI as one of the main protagonists with the design installation COLOUR ONE for MINI by Scholten & Baijings. As part of the Fuori Salone 2012, the installation will be on display at the Cortile del 700 of Milan University (Università degli Studi di Milano). Other designers represented at the show include Patricia Urquiola for Missoni.

The installation can be viewed between 9.00 and 24.00 hrs from 16 to 22 April 2012. From 23 to 28 April the exhibition closes at 21.00 hrs.

+ All images courtesy Scholten & Baijings

IDOM corporate office, image courtesy ACXT Architects | Photo by Fernando Guerra

The building has an activated load-bearing structure that takes part in the HVAC of the building, a system used in Spain for the first time.

The inauguration of the new IDOM corporate office in Madrid took place last Friday 13th of April. Over 900 guests attended the event, including clients, collaborators, top institutional heads and the company's own human workforce.

IDOM corporate office, image courtesy ACXT Architects | Photo by Fernando Guerra

After welcoming the guests, the President of IDOM Mr. Fernando Querejeta, had special words of thank you for his clients and collaborators as well as for the public institutions for the trust they have had in IDOM over its more than fifty years of existence. He also highlighted the degree of commitment of all the people in the Madrid IDOM office. The building that was inaugurated today would not have been possible without their effort.

IDOM corporate office, image courtesy ACXT Architects | Photo by Fernando Guerra

The new IDOM offices have entailed an investment of over 35 million Euros. In a short speech, Mr. Fernando Querejeta said

we needed spaces that supported the growth, internationalization and technological progress of IDOM over the next decades; spaces that promoted even more some of the values that are essential to us, such as team work, efficiency, open communications, external and internal relations or innovation; spaces that would offer our clients and collaborators an image in keeping with the current reality of IDOM, which is, essentially, a project into the future.

IDOM corporate office, image courtesy ACXT Architects | Photo by Fernando Guerra

A sustainable building

The new building was conceived by a multidisciplinary team, directed by Mr. Jesus Mª Susperregui, director of ACXT (the architecture firm of IDOM group). The idea used has implied an essential qualitative leap in terms of energy efficiency, internal comfort and water saving. Over 500 professionals are working in it right now. The new corporate office in Madrid was conceived with a clear aim: to host the activity of the company, represent it and to become its true "calling card".

IDOM corporate office, image courtesy ACXT Architects | Photo by Fernando Guerra

The building was designed, from the very beginning, in a multidisciplinary environment, where architects and engineers have both shared decisions on architecture, building services and energy and communication systems. In this sense, the quest for solutions that would overcome the traditional salubriousness and comfort conflicts typical of tertiary sector buildings has been a fixed objective throughout the whole creation process. A salubrious and domestic atmosphere was thought of for a space destined for work.

The building services have been planned seeking to maximize energy efficiency following a sustainable strategy. The building envelope includes a series of engineered elements focused on minimizing the building's energy consumption. Its orientation, optimization of openings, high thermal insulation, high performance window panes, exceptional sun protection and double green skin both on the façade and on the roof are some of the features that follow this line of action.

IDOM corporate office, image courtesy ACXT Architects | Photo by Fernando Guerra

The main HVAC system is the structure itself for the building has an active structure (TABS: Thermally Activated Building System). This system, never before used in Spain, is combined with an evaporative night cooling and offers important advantages against traditional HVAC systems, significantly reducing consumption (saving 75% of the overall energy) and considerably improving the comfort of its occupants. Natural ventilation through interior communication atriums that function as chimneys can even override mechanical ventilation when the weather conditions are suitable. The ventilation ducts are made of fabric, which can be easily cleaned, thus guaranteeing a high level of salubriousness to its occupants.

Water management is also naturally incorporated into the building's routine. 100% of rain water is collected and used in the watering system, in the treatment and use of sanitary water and in the structure's evaporative cooling system.

IDOM corporate office, image courtesy ACXT Architects | Photo by Fernando Guerra

Diversification and internationalization

Founded in 1957 by engineer Mr. Rafael Escolá, IDOM today is a multidisciplinary company, made up by 2,500 professionals, distributed among thirty offices, half of them abroad. Although the company started as an industrial engineering company, it presently carries out its activity in a wide range of specialities and with a very clear focus on technological innovation, offering a diversity of professional services. Its activity covers three main branches: engineering, architecture and consultancy. Combining teams from all technical fields, it is possible to take on projects of great complexity, a characteristic that defines the potential of the firm. On the other hand, the turnkey services are also worth highlighting. Through these, projects with a strong industrial component are undertaken, from their conception until they are ready to go online.

Over 2011, the business figure of IDOM reached 300 million Euros. For some years now, IDOM has set itself demanding objectives of expansion and internationalization; apart from the offices in Spain (Madrid, the Basque Country, Catalonia, Aragon, Galicia, Valencia, Murcia, the Canary and Balearic Islands, Navarre and Andalusia), it has offices in Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, USA, UAE, Morocco, Mexico Poland, Portugal, UK and Rumania. Its turnover due to international business accounts for over 60% of the group's total revenue.

IDOM corporate office, image courtesy ACXT Architects | Photo by Fernando Guerra

Emblematic projects

In the past few years, IDOM has played a very relevant role in the development of projects in strategic sectors with a need for professional value-added engineering services, both nationwide as well as abroad. Its size and multidisciplinary know-how allows it to tackle macro-engineering projects with a high degree of technical difficulty and complex system integration.

For example, we can mention: the design of various telescopes in Europe and America (European Extremely Large Telescope E-ELT, the Advanced Technology Solar Telescope ATST in Hawaii); projects and site supervision of high-speed railway works (ADIF); high-speed railway network in Poland; the improvement of archaeological sites in Egypt; motorways and dual carriageways (Ministry of Public Works, Gisa); underground systems (Seville, Barcelona, Porto, Ho Chi Minh, Medellin, Constantin); the hydro-wind power plant in Gorona del Viento (Island of El Hierro); combined cycle power plants (Mexico, Ireland, Russia, Latvia, Dubai); thermo solar power plants (engineering design and turnkey services); participation in the ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor); iron and steel plants all over the world (UK, Malaysia, Bolivia); nuclear engineering (extension of useful lifespan and design modification in all Spanish nuclear power plants); petrochemical plants (refinery in Talara, Peru); town planning and land management consultancy (London, Saudi Arabia); the architectonic design of CEIBS business school (China); the university campus in Misratah (Libya); a convention centre in Bilbao, hospitals in Spain and Central America, the new San Mames football stadium (Bilbao); the 112 emergencies management centre in Reus (Tarragona) and TACIS and PHARE programmes of the EU (Russia, Ukraine, Algeria), amongst others.

+ Project facts

New Idom Headquarters in Madrid
Avenida Monasterio del Escorial, 4, Madrid

Client
IDOM

Completion
2010

Cost
16 M €

Area
15.300 m2 (8.700 m2 sobre rasante + 6.600 m2 bajo rasante)

Project Architect
Jesús M. Susperregui Virto (ACXT Arquitectos)
Jorge Martínez Bermejo (ACXT Arquitectos)

Project Engineer
Antonio Villanueva Peñalver (ACXT Arquitectos)

Architect
Andrés Mackenna Rueda
Borja Aróstegui Chapa
Pablo Elorz Gaztelu

Project Management
Guillermo Digregorio Verdún

Costs
Jon Anduela Mugraza
José Manuel Vidal de Torres Ruiz

Structures
Fernando De Aguinaga García
Rocío García Cuevas
Jorge De Prado Romero
David García Menéndez

Environmental Engineering
Antonio Villanueva Peñalver
Ramón Gutiérrez Fernández-Cuervo
Isaac Lorenzo Morales

Lighting
Noemí Barbero Zumalacarregui

Public Health Services
Miguel Pastor Llamas

Electrical Engineering
Carlos Trujillo Campi
Eugenio Domínguez Fernández

Telecommunications
Teresa López-Contreras
Javier Cabrera

Fire Strategy
Santiago Alonso Ornat
Jaled Salman Callejo
Héctor Mayordomo Herraiz

Acoustics
Mario Torices Fernández

Sustainability
Ismael Díaz Salvador
Ramón Gutiérrez Fernández-Cuervo
Miguel Pastor Llamas

CAD Administation
Óscar Martín Corpa
José Luis Macías Toledano
Alexey Lysogor
Ezequiel Dangello Zanellato
Javier Garrayo Franco

Photographs
Fernando Guerra

+ All images and drawings courtesy ACXT Architects

Scheme and Conditioning Factors

A complex of 3 buildings and landscaping destined for R&D+i in the Automotive Sector.

Two of the buildings are intended for use as Development Units (halls) with laboratories and small-scale production.

AIC Automotive Intelligence Center, image courtesy ACXT Architects

The third, the Main Building, houses research units of various companies in the automotive sector, a laboratory (for common projects among the resident companies) and the social block of the complex, comprising: main lobby, auditorium, training classrooms, classrooms for projects in cooperation with universities, and the offices of the centre's management.

AIC Automotive Intelligence Center, image courtesy ACXT Architects

The site was flat when the project was drawn up. The landscaping plan for the industrial estate has strongly altered the original topography. Due to the reduced height limit permitted on the estate, and the elevated ground level of a large part of the site boundaries, the roof of our buildings has a great visual impact. In addition, the presence of a large Combined Cycle Power Station beside the East façade has to be added.

This research centre has nothing to do with a Technology Centre as far as usage is concerned. A Technology Centre is run by an institution and provides services. The AIC was born from the idea of it being the same companies as set up the complex that have their own research spaces in it, but that there are other spaces for projects carried out jointly with them, and the management is a mix of both public and private.

AIC Automotive Intelligence Center, image courtesy ACXT Architects

Compositional Solution

The Development Units are set in isolation for functional reasons and for future versatility.

A triangular landscaped area articulates the space between the Development Units, the Main Building and the spaces reserved for future expansion.

The complexity of the main building's facilities is unified under a large silver aerodynamically-shaped roof inspired by the bodywork of prototypes and racing cars.

The main building is composed of two fundamental parts: the social area, set around the main lobby; and the area for R&D projects.

AIC Automotive Intelligence Center, image courtesy ACXT Architects

In the transverse section of the R&D area, the functional layout is understood in the solution that has been given to the problem of the confidentiality of the activities in the centre (those specific to each company and those shared with others). Continuing from West to East, we have the garden, a landscaped fold in the terrain generating a patio alongside the façade which we call a "burladero" [literally "the barrier behind which the bullfighter takes refuge in the bullring"]. It is serves as a screen so that small machines can be installed for the laboratories of each company without any visual impact. Company laboratory downstairs, offices upstairs. Continuing at the ground floor level, an internal access "street" with the laboratories off it, for the companies one side and on the other side those in common. Above it, at the first floor level, a passageway fulfils the same service for people to access the offices of the companies. And finally the area of the shared laboratory, the highest enclosed space in the building. The lower parts of the roof are reserved for future "units" of the shared projects. At the end, the East façade is designed like a fold of the roof down to the ground, negating the presence of the combined cycle power station.

AIC Automotive Intelligence Center, image courtesy ACXT Architects

The "street" is covered in order to reinforce the image of unity the centre wishes to convey; not to mention the advantages in standing up to the Vizcaya climate, as well as facilitating the control of some habitually untidy spaces (the accesses to any premises, full of boxes and rubbish that "aren't anybody's").

The social area is planned at the head of the building. A large lobby facing South forms the end of the internal "street", surprising those entering it. Some huge glass doors make this connection possible: a car can get in as far as the lobby (for presentations of new models, prototypes, etc). The training areas are integrated into an aluminium box: an auditorium downstairs, training classrooms upstairs.

The management is located in the most aerodynamic element of the roof: a fold inspired by the air intakes of racing cars. It facilitates a generous access porch and gives the centre's management to have a commanding view of all the facades.

Urban Insertion

The complex is located on an industrial estate away from the urban nucleus. The design strategies have been geared, on the one hand, to making the building visible from the bordering motorway (the aspect of the South facing lobby), and on the other, to avoiding the constant view of the Combined Cycle Power Station from the work spaces. This is achieved by orientating them towards the West, where a garden provides a rest for the eyes, something that is atypical on such an estate.

The triangular garden articulates the space between the Development Units, the Main Building, and the spaces reserved for future expansion.

AIC Automotive Intelligence Center - Section, drawing courtesy ACXT Architects

Constructional Characteristics

Special care has been paid so that the necessarily elevated number of outdoor machines and equipment that a centre of this type needs, have the least visual and acoustic impact. To that end various patios have been planned, both let into both the façade ("burladeros") and the roof (see transverse section). The solar panels are installed over the roof patios, contributing to that idea of concealment.

The structure is of steel at the head (social area) and prefabricated concrete in the rest. The facades are of kalzip and curtain walling.

Architect: ACXT Architects
Photographer: Aitor Ortíz

+ All images and drawings courtesy ACXT Architects