BUILD - Architecture Awards 2017

88 Build 2017 Architecture Awards rom its headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany and its North American base in Chicago, USA, Officium is actively designing on five continents. The firm partners with local architects, designers, engineers, planners, contractors and communities to realise projects of all scales and sizes, each one a unique challenge with its own unique solution. Thomas gives us an outline of the firm and its clients, as well as what services the team can offer. “Always looking for the next big thing, our international portfolio embraces projects across various sectors that employ tensile designs to meet the individual needs of our clients. We have created innovative solutions for zoos and aviaries, green facades, public art installations and sculpture, transportation security, and bridge safety, among others. The scope of possible applications is limited only by one’s imagination. Every project is a prototype with unique demands and conditions. This makes our work exceptionally rewarding and also demands that we constantly innovate. “Tensile structures behave in ways that are completely unique in architecture. Our architects and engineers bring our very specialized knowledge to the design process and use it to inform not only a structure’s aesthetic, but also its performance. Our comprehensive understanding of tensile properties and material characteristics enables us to realize efficiencies for our clients – leveraging a minimum of materials for maximum effect. The resulting structures have striking visual impact while delivering long-term performance.” To be successful, all staff must work towards the same mission and attempt to reach the same goals. Thomas comments on how the company is ambitious and looks to utilise the team’s skills to provide the best services and products. “Our mission is to bring the beauty and functionality of tensile designs to a worldwide audience, using our technical and aesthetic skills to create unique, lasting, impactful structures that improve the lives of those who use them. Our brand combines ambitious design aspects with German high value engineering.” Best Zoo & Animal Enclosure Design Firm - Germany With more than 25 years of experience, Officium is the premier designer worldwide of tensile mesh and cable structures. We spoke to Thomas Ferwagner to explore the secrets behind the firm’s success as well as discuss the services that the firm offers. Contact: Thomas Ferwagner Contact Email: [email protected] Address: Rotebühlplatz 15; 70178 Stuttgart, Germany Phone: 0049 (0)711 870 69 40 Website: www.officium.net AR170105 F Thomas attributes teamwork as a key aspect of Officium’s success. The company works diligently to include all parties in the process of creating a formidable product. Clients are never kept in the dark as they are consulted on every project, and staff stay engaged from inception to completion. Thomas then goes on to discuss the experience of the firm, highlighting the hallmarks of German design that the firm adds to its projects. “Partnership is key to our success. We team with others to leverage our strengths with theirs, ensuring a high-quality outcome. Due to the fact that most designers have little knowledge of how tensile structures work, we find it best when we can step into the project early on in the conceptual phase and provide guidance that will save the client both time and money. We consult directly with each client on turnkey solutions that respond to the parameters of the project’s site, budget and specifications. Starting with a solid conceptual design, it then becomes easier to craft a solution that is both structurally and economically efficient while still focusing on the inherent aesthetic beauty of the materials. We follow each project from start to finish and remain engaged every step of the way, not only providing key design and engineering services, but also training and supervision during installation, guidance in maintenance and operations, and even inspections after successful handover to the client. “Collectively, we bring decades of experience to the design process. In particular, we also pride ourselves in bringing the hallmarks of German design to our projects: efficient use of materials, structural authenticity, transparency and an emphasis on aesthetics. We have cultivated a broad knowledge in materials of our craft, collecting a large library of various types of mesh, nets and cables to inform our designs and spark innovation. In fact, we have invented and patented several mesh materials that are now currently on the market.” Technology is becoming increasingly important in any industry and Thomas tells us how technology can aid companies, particularly with regard to zoo and aviary enclosures. Being stringent with its safety procedures, Officium ensures