LAPLAN converts disused electrical substation into workplace and residing areas
[ad_1]
Electrical substation renovation by laplan
architectural studio LAPLAN renovated an electrical substation in the czech town of vyškov. built during WWII by the german army, the structure once served as a high-voltage facility for a large military base nearby. by the end of the 20th century, however, the army vacated it – leaving it standing as a disused volume on the hill, above the town, for years.
the substation was originally two stories high with a heavy reinforced concrete ceiling. nowadays, it functions as a three-floor office building hosting a small apartment. to gain an extra level, the architects demolished the original reinforced concrete top and inserted two new steel structures — allowing a new space to flourish.
all images © LAPLAN
retaining the original volume and expression of the building
for this project, the LAPLAN team ensured that their intervention would retain the original volume and technical expression of the substation: all existing openings on the façades were preserved, while new windows were positioned in such a way that the overall identity remains somewhat intact. the architects also supplemented the building with an entrance terrace and a balcony on the third floor. all added steel structures were coated in black to emphasize the distinction between old and new.
the timber terrace at the entrance integrates the steel tracks leading to the three doors on the main façade and replaces the original electrical handling area in front of the house. the black steel balcony, meanwhile, extends the space of the small apartment and gives access to the roof via the original steel ladder.
electrical substation renovation in the town of vyškov
moving on to the interiors, the spaces reveal a contemporary and simple design. the technical character of the substation is reflected in both the exposed steel ceiling beams with corrugated iron sheeting and the original reinforced concrete structure that dominates the apartment on the top floor.
as a final touch, the architects have replaced the surrounding impenetrable bushes with a grassy cover, which will gradually re-grow and fuse with the existing vegetation. ‘the substation will thus revert to its original state – alone, aging in the greenery at the intersection, and looking down on the fields, woods, and town,’ concludes LAPLAN.
a third floor, not apparent from the outside, was added to accommodate a small flat
the substation sits alone, surrounded by vegetation
view of the newly-added black steel balcony on the top floor
office interiors revealing simple, contemporary furnishing
the original reinforced concrete structure dominates the living spaces
1/2
project info:
name: electrical substation renovation
architecture: LAPLAN | @laplan_atelier
location: vyškov, czech republic
total area: 120 sqm
designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.
edited by: lea zeitoun | designboom
[ad_2]
Source link
