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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Metalsa Center for Manufacturing Innovation in Monterrey, Mexico by Brooks + Scarpa ArchitectsOctober 15th, 2013 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: Brooks + Scarpa Architects Brooks + Scarpa have completed a new Center for Manufacturing Innovation Located in Mexico’s Research Park for Technical Innovation (PIIT), a science and technology park, which is a partnership between government, universities and the private sector to seek economic growth through technical innovation. The 1000 hectare campus is host to more than 50 research centers devoted to R&D as well as the development of technology innovation in nanotechnology, biotechnology, mechatronics and advanced manufacturing, information technology, clean energy and advanced materials development.  Image Courtesy © Brooks + Scarpa Architects
 Image Courtesy © Brooks + Scarpa Architects Metalsa SA began as a family-owned company, founded by Guillermo Zambrano Gutierrez in 1956 that manufactures chassis and structural body components worldwide for a variety of heavy trucks and pickups in facilities located in the USA, China, Japan and India. Today the company has manufacturing facilities located around the world and boasts several major automotive corporations as their clients, including Ford and Toyota.  Image Courtesy © Brooks + Scarpa Architects Industrial buildings of this type are rarely a model for workplace innovation. They are typically a direct, and often nefarious programmatic response to the function inside with little consideration for the occupants needs. The approach to this project was to preserve the integrity of a high bay industrial facility and program, while providing a model environment for the users and visitors.  Image Courtesy © Brooks + Scarpa Architects A saw-toothed roof draws from the geometry of old factories and the surrounding Monterrey Mountains. The angled elements of the roof provide abundant natural daylight to the spaces below at the building’s northernmost elevations. By modulating space and light thru a fractured roof geometry, the building is able to maintain a rational plan to meet the rigorous requirements of the program, while providing a strong connection to the landscape both visually and metaphorically.  Image Courtesy © Brooks + Scarpa Architects The second major feature of the building is the perforated metal skin that clads the entire façade. The custom aluminum skin is both perforated and etched. It incorporates interplay of solid and void, orchestrating areas of both light and shadow, while limiting views into the research areas, necessary to protect proprietary trade secrets. Thus, the industrial program has been transformed from a black box environment to a light filled space with a strong visual connection to the outside. Each of these strategies and materials, exploit the potential for performance and sensibility while achieving a rich and interesting sensory and aesthetic experience.  Image Courtesy © Brooks + Scarpa Architects Programmatically, the building is divided into two volumes – warehouse, labs and offices functions. The upper story of the offices cantilever over the lower story to the west and is clad in a highly perforated metal skin and is the main entry facade. The lower story is mainly glazed and open to reveal portions of the research laboratory, machine room and other industrial functions not requiring visually security. From the exterior, the warehouse appears to float lightly over the mechanical and intellectual heart of the program, reversing the notion that an industrial building should be solid and protected. Rather, the building seems very open and is intended to feel vulnerable revealing parts of its inner program to public view.  Image Courtesy © Brooks + Scarpa Architects The main entry of the building is located at the northwest corner under the cantilevered volume. It is flanked by a sunken garden to the north, which is overlooked by the surrounding offices. The garden connects to the adjacent water reclamation wetland for the entire PITT campus. A large operable door located off the entry in the main public space opens to the garden outside.  Image Courtesy © Brooks + Scarpa Architects About Brooks + Scarpa Architects Brooks + Scarpa (formerly Pugh + Scarpa) has won more than twenty national AIA awards, including the 2010 Architecture Firm Award and five AIA COTE Top Ten Green Building Awards. The firm has also received more than 60 state and local AIA awards. In 2008, Brooks + Scarpa received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Interior Design  Image Courtesy © Brooks + Scarpa Architects  Image Courtesy © Brooks + Scarpa Architects  Image Courtesy © Brooks + Scarpa Architects  Image Courtesy © Brooks + Scarpa Architects  Image Courtesy © Brooks + Scarpa Architects  Image Courtesy © Brooks + Scarpa Architects  Image Courtesy © Brooks + Scarpa Architects  Image Courtesy © Brooks + Scarpa Architects  Image Courtesy © Brooks + Scarpa Architects  Image Courtesy © Brooks + Scarpa Architects  Image Courtesy © Brooks + Scarpa Architects  Image Courtesy © Brooks + Scarpa Architects  Image Courtesy © Brooks + Scarpa Architects
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