Designs for the headquarters of Russian company RMK, one of the world’s leading producers of copper, were released last Tuesday by British architecture firm Foster + Partners.
The plan for the building in Yekaterinburg is to rethink the conventional cellular office and tailor it to how RMK operates. The interiors consist of more intimate, domestic scaled workspaces instead of the currently popular large open space.
The façade, made up of triple-glazing and triangular bronze-colored steel panels, will appear to be subtly changing according to the season and path of the sun.
In anticipation of the city’s dramatic temperature shifts between seasons, the solid and glazed areas are designed to maximize the scarce winter sun while blocking the heat of direct sunlight during the summer.
The firm designed both the architecture and interior elements using warm, tactile materials in palettes of wood, stone, and textiles in natural tones.
"This is a great example of our integrated approach," said Luke Fox, Executive Partner at Foster + Partners. "Our architects and our in-house specialists disciplines have worked closely together as a single team to create a truly integrated solution that is both perfectly tailored to RMK’s needs, and provides a powerful new symbol for their organization."
Related Stories
Architects | Dec 16, 2015
Architects create commission for diversity advancement
The 20-member group will assess recent data, set a plan of action, and report on results to the AIA Board of Directors.
Architects | Dec 15, 2015
ULI names Lord Richard Rogers the 2015 J.C. Nichols Prize winner
Rogers, Founder of Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, works on projects that “shine a spotlight on the challenges that people in urban areas are facing."
Market Data | Dec 15, 2015
AIA: Architecture Billings Index hits another bump
Business conditions show continued strength in South and West regions.
Architects | Dec 14, 2015
New LEGO line lets builders construct iconic skylines
New York City, Berlin, and Venice are featured in the Architecture Skyline Collection.
Architects | Dec 14, 2015
Date named for announcement of 2016 Laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize
The Laureate will be named the morning of January 13.
Architects | Dec 9, 2015
Architecture firms Cooper Carry and The Johnson Studio merge
The combination is expected to bolster each firm’s hospitality-related services.
Industry Research | Dec 8, 2015
AEC leaders say the 'talent wars' are heating up: BD+C exclusive survey
A new survey from Building Design+Construction shows that U.S. architecture, engineering, and construction firms are being stymied by the shortage of experienced design and construction professionals and project managers.
Architects | Dec 4, 2015
Denise Scott Brown and Robert Venturi win 2016 AIA Gold Medal Award
The husband and wife architect team—founders of VSBA Architects and Planners—are the award's first joint winners.
Architects | Dec 3, 2015
LMN Architects wins 2016 AIA Architecture Firm Award
The firm is known for projects like Vancouver Convention Centre West and the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business.
Greenbuild Report | Dec 1, 2015
Data centers turn to alternative power sources, new heat controls and UPS systems
Data centers account for 2% of the nation’s electricity consumption and about 30% of the power used annually by the economy’s information and communications technology sector, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
