ZVE Fraunhofer Institute

Stuttgart, Germany, 2006

The ZVE (Centre for Virtual Engineering) of the Fraunhofer Institute of Industrial engineering is located on their research campus in Stuttgart Vaihingen. The building houses a research centre for the investigation into the development of products in a short time frame, focusing on scientific investigation related to the outcome created by various multidisciplinary workflows. The design incorporates an open, technically innovative structure, whilst also adhering to the existing branding strategy of the Fraunhofer Institute. In order to blend the laboratory and research functions with the exhibition and sceneographic visitor routing, a diagrammatic approach is employed, resulting in an open, communicative design. Research plateaus alternate around a central atrium, ringed by a stairway which fluently connects the various functions.