Architectural Cases

Cubo Architects has officially unveiled the Kornmarken Campus, a cutting-edge innovation and manufacturing hub situated within the expansive Lego campus in Billund, Denmark. This distinctive building, a fusion of mass timber and concrete, houses Lego's dedicated innovation and manufacturing divisions. Its design, conceived by Cubo, prominently features enlarged Technic blocks on its exterior, ensuring an immediate visual connection to the iconic toy brand. Located in proximity to Lego's main headquarters and the renowned BIG-designed Lego House, the campus is poised to become a new landmark, embodying the playful, creative, and engineering-driven spirit of the Lego Group.

The architectural vision behind the Kornmarken Campus was to create a structure that not only stands out as a significant landmark in Billund, alongside other prominent Lego facilities, but also authentically conveys its primary functions and brand identity. Per Ravn, a partner at Cubo, articulated that the design masterfully blends the technical and industrial characteristics essential for its operations with the inherent playfulness synonymous with the Lego Group. The objective was to embed Lego's core philosophy—creativity, innovation, and engineering—directly into the building's architectural expression. The facade, drawing inspiration from Lego Technic bricks, establishes a powerful visual link to the Lego universe, simultaneously asserting the building's role as a specialized workplace for engineers and technically adept personnel.

Connected seamlessly to the existing production facility, the Kornmarken Campus is a bustling environment for 1,800 Lego professionals. These employees are at the forefront of designing and rigorously testing Lego's latest products and materials. The campus is thoughtfully laid out to include a diverse range of office spaces and advanced testing zones, featuring a dedicated Test & Innovation Centre, a sophisticated Materials Lab, an Additive Manufacturing Centre, and a comprehensive Training Academy. This integrated approach is rooted in a fundamental principle: to bridge the gap between technological developers and practical implementers. Ravn highlighted that this consolidation allows employees, previously dispersed across various locations, to now collaborate side-by-side with access to state-of-the-art test facilities, laboratories, and production equipment.

The architectural design of the Kornmarken Campus adeptly balances the need for openness with the requirement for confidentiality, both being critical to the building's character and purpose. This duality is strikingly evident in the facade, where expansive, enclosed production halls are strategically positioned on the exterior, while more transparent office areas occupy the higher levels of the structure. The central atrium is a focal point, featuring an awe-inspiring 25-tonne red Lego brick, appearing as if suspended within a mould. Additionally, historical moulds and detailed plans are prominently displayed, serving as a tribute to Lego's rich engineering heritage. Rune Sanggård Andersen, Lego's head of workplace design, explained that these bold design elements, including the giant red brick and glass installations showcasing original moulds and technical drawings, are more than mere aesthetics; they are powerful storytelling devices that directly connect to the work conducted within the building's walls, embodying Lego's values and its legacy of craftsmanship.

Given the dual nature of the building, which accommodates both administrative office functions and specialized technical testing areas, Cubo opted for a hybrid concrete-and-timber structural system. Ravn elaborated that the Kornmarken Campus uniquely integrates a robust concrete structure for the test facilities with elegant mass timber for the office spaces. This combination presented distinct challenges, particularly in constructing a technical and industrial facility with timber. The project necessitated the meticulous integration of a wide array of highly specialized functions, demanding stringent adherence to acoustic performance, fire safety protocols, and optimal indoor climate conditions. Furthermore, the design incorporated large structural spans within the load-bearing timber frameworks, which placed considerable demands on both the architectural design and the engineering solutions.

Ultimately, Lego's overarching goal for the Kornmarken Campus was to cultivate an environment that not only sparks innovation but also unmistakably projects the brand's identity. Andersen emphasized that the Lego Technic elements adorning the building's facade symbolize the precision engineering and excellence inherent in Lego bricks, serving as a homage to the dedicated individuals who work there. These architectural features unequivocally mark the building as Lego and establish a clear link to the original Lego Campus in Billund. He concluded by noting Lego's philosophy of having "one shared language, but many dialects," signifying that while every workplace must meet elevated standards of functionality and quality, it should also articulate its own distinctive character.

MAD Architects has unveiled the Tengyun Center, Tencent's new headquarters in Shenzhen, China, redefining corporate architecture with its innovative design. This sprawling 72,000-square-meter complex, part of Tencent's 80-hectare campus, integrates office and event spaces within three distinct curved, glazed structures, connected by elegant steel-truss bridges. A departure from conventional corporate buildings, the Tengyun Center prioritizes public interaction and environmental harmony, lifting its primary volumes to create a vibrant public space at ground level. This strategic elevation not only enhances accessibility but also preserves natural views of the surrounding bay, embodying a vision where corporate infrastructure seamlessly blends with urban life. The project also includes two additional office towers and a unique droplet-shaped building, all contributing to a cohesive and forward-thinking campus.

The design philosophy behind the Tengyun Center centers on the concept of 'floating' – a spatial idea articulated by studio founder Ma Yansong. By raising the buildings 8.6 meters on ten structural cores, MAD Architects has created an unobstructed public domain, allowing the city to reclaim the ground level. This innovative approach fosters a sense of openness and community, transforming the headquarters into a piece of public infrastructure rather than an isolated corporate icon. The various structures, including offices, event spaces, and a public area on the second floor of the southernmost building, are linked by curved steel bridges. The entire complex is surrounded by an open landscape featuring public pathways and shaded gardens, integrating the site's existing mangroves and further enhancing its connection to nature.

Architectural Innovation: Redefining Corporate Space

The Tengyun Center in Shenzhen stands as a testament to MAD Architects' innovative approach to corporate architecture, moving beyond traditional, enclosed designs. The project's most striking feature is its three interconnected, curved glass volumes, which appear to float 8.6 meters above the ground. This elevation, supported by ten structural cores, creates an expansive, unrestricted public realm at ground level, offering stunning views of the bay. Unlike typical corporate offices, the Tengyun Center is conceived as an open campus, functioning as a vital piece of public infrastructure. This design philosophy not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the campus but also fosters a dynamic interaction between the corporate environment and the surrounding urban fabric.

MAD Architects' vision for the Tengyun Center emphasizes accessibility and public engagement. The design integrates diverse functions, including contemporary office spaces, versatile event venues, and exhibition areas, all seamlessly connected by sophisticated steel-truss bridges. The central and northern structures house the offices, thoughtfully arranged around atriums that are bathed in natural light from semi-open skylights. The southernmost building provides flexible spaces for events and public gatherings, including a dedicated public floor. This thoughtful arrangement, combined with the strategic elevation of the buildings, transforms the corporate headquarters into a vibrant, accessible hub that promotes community interaction and redefines the role of corporate architecture in an urban setting.

Public Integration and Sustainable Design

The Tengyun Center by MAD Architects masterfully blends public integration with sustainable design principles, creating a unique urban campus for Tencent in Shenzhen. The elevated design of the three main volumes provides an unparalleled public realm at ground level, offering shaded gardens, pathways, and preserved mangrove ecosystems. This innovative approach not only gives back valuable public space to the city but also enhances the environmental quality of the area. The architectural elements, such as the rounded volumes with their horizontal shading and glass facades, contribute to both the aesthetic elegance and the energy efficiency of the buildings, reflecting a commitment to both community and environmental stewardship.

Further emphasizing public integration, the campus features a standalone droplet-shaped building and two additional office towers, all designed with similarly curved, glazed facades. The interior spaces are characterized by long-span structures, ensuring unobstructed views of the bay from various points within the offices, circulation areas, and shared amenities. This design democratizes the stunning natural scenery, making it accessible to all occupants, not just senior staff. The comprehensive integration of public spaces, natural elements, and sustainable architectural features transforms the Tengyun Center into a landmark development that redefines the relationship between corporate infrastructure, urban life, and environmental responsibility, setting a new standard for future corporate campuses.