adidas LACES

The new Research and Development building „LACES“ of adidas AG in Herzogenaurach fits in perfectly with its distinctive architecture in the existing ensemble of the „World of Sports“. Its seven storeys offer space for about 1,700 employees in the departments "Marketing und Operations". Numerous innovative structural concepts were implemented for the 300m long new building: A system of „Compensation Strips“ which facilitate the construction of very large reinforced-concrete buildings without the need for movement joints by controlled and distributed fissuring in reinforced concrete to compensate for movements made it possible to build an approx. 100m longer multi-storey which appears to float above the entrance without intrusive, visible structures; another concept is the approx. 5,000m² EFTE-Roof on very gently inclined arches.

There is an approx. 5,000m² atrium inside the building which is „tied“ by the eponymous „LACES“. A very sophisticated structure was developed for these connecting walkways that cross the atrium on different levels. Even though their structural depth is only 200mm, they bridge distances of up to 45m between the building parts.

Architect
kadawittfeldarchitektur, Aachen

Client
adidas AG, Herzogenaurach

Gross area
50.000 sqm

Gross volume
320.000 m³

Award
Finalist Structural Awards 2012