Skip to main content
Schweinfurt

Fresenius Medical Care Technology Center

Since the late 1970s, Fresenius Medical Care has been developing and producing medical equipment, particularly dialysis machines, in Schweinfurt. 

The new Technology Center at the company's largest site for dialysis machines worldwide unites experts previously dispersed across the site into a single building, fostering synergies within this world-class company.

A space for synergies

Situated at the point of access to the site, the four-story new build marks the new entrance to the premises. The transparent cube featuring a distinct, filigree diamond pattern rises above a green hill and welcomes employees and visitors alike. They pass through the main entrance on the northeastern side of the building to access the interiors. 

From this point, a spacious, publicly accessible lobby with adjoining meeting rooms connects to the research or workplace areas. The highly sensitive Verification Test Center (VTC), a research and laboratory facility, is located on the hillside and protected from public view. The piled and planted soil shields the VTC from the outside. A light well provides natural lighting to the test facilities.

Multi-layered networking

The design of the upper stories is informed by the idea of horizontal and vertical networking across floors. Test rooms, offices, and communication areas are interwoven into a large, coherent world of knowledge in which products, projects and people come together. 

An atrium interlinks all stories at the core of the square-shaped building. The atrium’s sculptural appeal is created by radially offset circular segments on each floor. Changing sightlines between the levels promote communication between the various project groups while providing the building with a strong center.

The atrium is flanked by shared areas with kitchenettes that encourage spontaneous encounters and professional and informal exchange between employees. Towards the outside, the atrium is adjoined by meeting rooms and glazed testing facilities where dialysis machines are tested. Rooms for focused work run along the façade with visual links to the test rooms. The new build’s cores are arranged like windmill blades, creating a natural zoning of the floating spatial continuum.

The idea of multi-layered networking also inspired the façade design, which includes various levels: Slender white aluminum tubes form a striking diamond-shaped grid that evenly envelops the building. These tubes are attached to cantilevered floor slabs, between which a glass façade extends.

The new build’s compact design saves energy and allows previously paved areas to be desealed and landscaped. Using hollow-core floor slabs reduces concrete consumption significantly. A night cooling system keeps energy consumption low, especially during the summer months.

The Fresenius Medical Care Technology Center in Schweinfurt is a striking new build that not only creates a sense of identity, but also provides space for synergies while paving the path for medical technology innovations made in Germany.

Area
8 000 m²
Status
Completed
Client
Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
Year
Location
Schweinfurt, DE

Collaboration Partners

Greb GmbH, Land + Plan, Joachim Ingenieure, Süss Beratende Ingenieure GmbH & Co. KG, Wölfel Engineering GmbH &
Co. KG, IFP - Weber GmbH & Co. KG, Architekturbüro Holger Philipp