OTTOBOCK, the German company specializing in high-tech prostheses, biological implants, and orthopedic products, entrusted IPA - Architecture and more with the development of its manufacturing facility in Bulgaria. The factory in Blagoevgrad is the company's tenth production facility worldwide. The newly developed complex manufactures products from the company's portfolio, including high-tech prostheses, orthoses, and wheelchairs, while also being the only Ottobock facility that produces orthopedic textile products. The project forms part of IPA - Architecture and more's portfolio of industrial buildings.
The facility occupies the site of the former Strumatex factory, which led to the project being divided into two parts: the construction of new buildings and the contemporary renovation of the buildings retained on the site. In the architectural design, the functions are arranged to respond as closely as possible to the company's requirements. The IPA team addressed the challenge of using the scale of the 45-decare complex efficiently while integrating the new and existing buildings into a coherent whole.
All products and components manufactured by OTTOBOCK are made by hand, making high-quality working conditions for employees a key consideration. This is achieved through seated workstations arranged according to the production process, providing communication between employees while maintaining sufficient individual space for professional tasks. Production zones are separated by specialized walls that distinguish the individual processes. One of the most important characteristics of the spaces is the microclimate required by this type of production. Control measures include humidity and dust management through different types of filters and regulated air-supply rates, supported by the HVAC systems design. All design and construction activities follow OTTOBOCK's strict requirements for quality, standards, and production microclimate.
All finished products are transported to a central warehouse in Germany, from where they reach 60 countries. Sufficient storage rooms and shelving are therefore provided for finished products.
Lightness and openness guide the design of the administrative zone, which includes a lobby, meeting rooms, and small and large offices according to the needs of the different departments. Structural strength is provided by steel and reinforced-concrete slabs and structures, while the facade is finished with white panels and contrasting graphite-colored window frames. The two facade colors continue into the interior, complemented by accents in green, cyan, light blue, and dark blue. This reinforces the sense of freshness, cleanliness, lightness, and openness.
The company entrusted IPA - Architecture and more with the entire design process, and the completed facility received first prize in the Production Buildings category of the 2021 Building of the Year competition.
