Amaya Headquarters in Pamplona
- Heide Wessely
Shipping containers are a symbol of our globalised society. They are used for transporting a major share of the goods that we consume. However, their life cycle as a means of transport is limited to merely eight to ten years. This raises the question: What to do with decommissioned large format containers? Melting the scrap metal of a 40 foot container consumes about 8000 kWh - reusing it as a construction element only 400 to 800 kWh. Continued use of its storage capacity, therefore, seems sensible and sports goods manufacturer Amaya considered it a convincing idea. For its new headquarters, situated next to one of the company's production facilities on the outskirts of Pamplona, large quantities of storage space were required. Ten 40 foot containers span laterally across a longitudinal hall, supported by V-shaped columns. They are storage space and roof construction, all at once. Their industrial appeal defines the hall, now equipped with tall steel shelving. A strictly uniform grid according to which the containers are arranged provides space for large-format skylights. They allow so much natural daylight to enter that no additional artificial lighting is required during the day. A front building facing westward features offices and accesses a small interior courtyard with an artificial lawn. Different than the bright, well lit interior, the facade is black. Reminiscent of a dark veil, perforated sheet steel is arranged in front of the windowed facade of the office spaces and a lounge on a mezzanine floor.
