IPA - Architecture and more designed the expansion of the Mecalit production complex in Kuklen. The project forms part of the studio's portfolio of industrial buildings and was completed in 2018.
The main objective was to modernize and expand the production complex without major intervention in the existing buildings and infrastructure and, most importantly, without interrupting the ongoing production process. This required precise architectural design and careful planning of the connections between the existing facility and the new extension.
The new extension consists of a single-story production hall with a loading and unloading area and a three-story administrative wing. A carefully developed implementation plan allowed construction and commissioning of the new workspaces and infrastructure to proceed without disrupting operations at the existing facility.
Mecalit manufactures components for household appliances for global companies in the sector. With the expansion of the complex, the company also introduced a new production activity: plastic components for the automotive industry. The new facility was designed around the requirements of the production process, including cold metalworking and product assembly. The production hall has a large internal volume that allows new technologies and production solutions to be introduced.
The new building adjoins the existing facility and adds 3,824.87 sq m to the previously established 5,754 sq m of production area. At ground level, a direct connection links the new production and administrative areas, while an additional connection between them is provided by a staircase at the second level.
One of the project's distinctive technical features is the efficient use of waste heat. IPA - Architecture and more developed a dedicated waste heat recovery system that redistributes residual heat throughout the building. To maximize its use, the system is connected to the underfloor heating in the administrative areas and to air heating units in the production and storage spaces.
