Set to be built in the Swedish city this unique campus named ”Uni3 by Geely” on Gothenburg’s harbour front, Geely Design Center is set for completion in 2022.
A core aspect of the design is the relationship between private and public areas. Designed with a eye on corporate espionage, Cobe describes the development centre for Geely as a "chamber of secrets". Copying is a major challenge in the automotive industry, which makes it crucial to prevent prying eyes when it comes to the most sensitive activity of all: the ongoing design of new cars and features.
The exterior materials are inspired by an automotive universe and setting, where the use of glass and metal in the facade and concrete on the terrain creates a natural connection with the cars that are designed inside.
The building is organised around a central atrium that connects the people working in the building visually, physically and mentally. Open stairs placed along the atrium provide quick and easy connections between different functions and people.
The building offers large spaces with room for the constructing of clay models of cars in a scale of 1:1 as well as dark areas where virtual designers can work on giant screens in the spectacular design space at the top of the building.
Dan Stubbergaard, architect and founder of Cobe, comments on the project:
“We are very excited to work with Geely Group on their new design center in the heart of Gothenburg’s buzzing and beautiful harbour front. Electric vehicles are the way of the future and Geely Group’s innovative strategy and new ideas within this field fit perfectly with our mindset. Lynk&Co’s coming subscription service for electric cars, among others, is a potential gamechanger in the transition from fossil fuels to a more green, energy-efficient and CO₂-neutral transportation. Hopefully the new design center can help to promote this urgent transition even further”.
Geely intends for Link & Co's electric cars to be available as part of a Netflix-style subscriptions service when they become available in Europe.
