BUILD Q3 2018

23 Q3 2018 Build eadquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, Officium boasts a global reputation with an additional office in Chicago, USA. With these two bases, the company is actively operating and designing on five continents. To be successful, all staff must work together to achieve the same mission. Thomas started off the discussion by commenting on the company’s ambitions and what attributes the team possess which will aid the team in its quest to achieve its vision. “Here at Officium, 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.” Utilising its international portfolio, the team embraces projects across various sectors that employ tensile designs which meet the individual needs of clients. Officium has created innovative solutions for zoos and aviaries, green facades, public art installations and sculpture, transportation security, and bridge safety, among others. Furthermore, as a result of being able to employ a team overflowing with knowl- edge and expertise, Thomas believes that teamwork has been a huge aspect of Officium’s success “Essentially, building long-term partnerships have been vital to our success. Throughout the company, we work with others to leverage our strengths with theirs, and subsequently ensure a high-quality outcome. Since most designers have little knowledge of how tensile structures work, we find it best when we can step into the project early in the conceptual phase and provide guidance that will save the client both time and money. “Looking to gain a true understanding of the client’s desired outcome, we con- sult 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. From then, we follow each project from start to finish and remain engaged every step of the way, not only providing key design and engineer- ing services, but also training and supervision during installation, guidance in maintenance and operations, and even inspections after successful handover to the client.” Operating within the increasingly technology dominated architecture industry, Thomas explained that technology can help companies, particularly regarding zoo and aviary enclosures, using previous successful projects that the firm has undertaken to emphasise his point. Ensuring the Safety of Animals with Unique Designs Officium is the premier designer worldwide of tensile mesh and cable structures, boasting over 25 years of experience across its team. We profiled the company and gained an insight from Thomas Ferwagner as we look to examine its services and discover more about the company’s overwhelming achievements. H “Operating in the realm of zoo and aviary enclosures, our technology allows breath-taking solutions and considers thoughtful design that enhances the en- vironment for the animals it is meant to protect. Among the already realised 280 enclosures, the highly successful installation at the Wilhelma Zoo in Stuttgart involved imagining the steel support columns for the mesh as not only structural elements, but as integral ‘trees’, creatively providing bonobos with opportunities to nest, swing, jump and climb. “In this way, our zoo projects are not simply intended to provide a safe enclosure for their inhabitants, but a creative one that is responsive to their needs. We have had a hand in designing habitats for a wide range of species with very diverse living requirements, behaviours, and safety concerns; Orangutans, tigers, bonobos and other apes, birds of all kinds. In close cooperation with zoo directors, zookeepers, landscape architects and other professionals, we strive to generate solutions that take into account the quality of the environment and the experience for both the animals and their visitors. “Capitalising on our experience, our goal is to keep the natural habitat in the foreground and create a secure environment for the animals through a transpar- ent, unobtrusive structure that provides visitors with a rewarding experience.” Brimming with knowledge and holding a unique skillet, Officium’s engineering makes use of the latest top-of-the-line three-dimensional analysis software, and the company works with only the highest quality suppliers of stainless steel mesh, cables and fittings. Thomas explains how the evolution of materials and software has contributed further to the company’s success and mentions the environmental aspirations that Officium has integrated into its work. “Excitingly, stainless steel offers great advantages in strength and durabili- ty, maintenance and sustainability. Our work even lies at the foundation of numerous green projects where building facades use the mesh as a substrate to support the growth of vining plants on their surface – cooling the building, offering a beautiful visual component, and creating an opportunity to lower our impact on the planet.” Overall, there is widespread optimism amongst the team at Officium that there is a bright future ahead. The company is currently looking at expanding its engagement with partners in Asia, as well as building its portfolio in North America while maintaining a solid foundation in Europe. With offices in Stuttgart, Chicago, Officium’s ability to respond to its clients’ needs with flexibility, speed, and a personal touch will be greatly enhanced. Company: Officium Design Engineering GmbH Contact: Thomas Ferwagner Address: Rotebuhlplatz 15, 70178 Stuttgart, Germany Phone: 0049 0711 870 69 40 Website: www.officium.de