Milsoft R&D Building is the second of several buildings at Middle East Technical University (METU) Technopark, to be designed by Bütüner. Apart from the positioning of the plot within Technopark and its requirement program, the demand by the employer to make use of certain structural elements (steel construction modular beams, roof and facade coating panels) the manufacturing of which was commissioned for another building, constituted a highly important design challenge. The project aimed at utilizing the said elements in a creative manner within the premises of METU and Technopark.
Resolving the administrative offices and the functions of R&D in separated masses is a program requirement established by the user from the stand point of internal relations. While open space offices and laboratories were suggested for R&D, closed units were proposed for the administrative offices. This double program approach put forth in the plan was reflected on the facades and the mass of the building. The plan setting was created symmetrically on both sides of the large circulation space running throughout the building, starting from the entrance.
The Administrative Block is a two storey building in the direction of entrance to the property, covering the facade in length; functions like the administration and the VIP lounge have been planned on symmetrical corridors. A connecting mass consisting of an atrium and meeting halls of different sizes was designed between the Administrative Block and the R&D Department. This section, housing common functions, binds the two different structure systems in a proportionate way. The R&D Department was positioned in the direction of the calm, rear part of the property; it consists of two stories under a single shell structure. The four workshop units placed symmetrically on two wings, house functions such as project administration and laboratory.
The modular steel units previously manufactured for creating a convex section in another project, were used following complete reassessment of the construction system, resulting in the creation of a concave and bow shaped shell structure. The beams of the steel construction building constitute a section starting from the ground and rising to the level of up to 2.5 floors. The point of convergence of the beams and the floor defines a semi open exterior space. This space, protected by sun-breakers is thought as a socializing area for workshop employees.
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