brooks + scarpa: metalsa SA

‘metalsa SA’ by brooks + scarpa, apodaca, mexicoall images courtesy brooks + scarpa

los angeles-based firm brooks + scarpa have designed ‘metalsa SA’, a research lab, office and industrial testing facility for metalsa, an automotive company which is currently under construction in apodaca, mexico. derived from a hybrid of the geometries found within old factories and the surrounding monterrey mountains, a saw-toothed roof line defines the exterior appearance of the 55,000 square foot building. large clerestory windows are integrated into the ceiling’s sloping faces introducing abundant amounts of daylight into the interior, creating a pleasant work atmosphere for employees within a manufacturing environment.

interior

the 5,500 square foot office area overlooks a sunken garden along the northern face of the building. the natural bioswale doubles as a connection to the ongoing wetland reclamation on the PITT campus. a large overhead garage door may be opened to open the main public space to the environment. produced within the current factory, a perforated and etched aluminum cladding plays with solid and void creating areas of light and shadow.

model

model

model

model

aerial view

aerial view

cantilevered entrance + lobby

site plan

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level 1

section

section

section

section

section

section

exploded axonometric

facade

unfolded skin

concept transform