Cobe to create new design center as "chamber of secrets" for global automaker Geely
20/05/2020.
[Gothenburg] Sweden
metalocus, JOAN MARSET
metalocus, JOAN MARSET
Danish architecture studio Cobe is to create the Uni3, a new 14,000m² design center for the multinational organisation Geely Design, which develops and executes new world-class designs for the Chinese car manufacturer Geely in Gothenburg
The new four-storey building for Chinese automaker, which owns brands including Volvo and Lotus, will include a hidden laboratory used to develop the company's Lynk & Co electric cars.
The new four-storey building for Chinese automaker, which owns brands including Volvo and Lotus, will include a hidden laboratory used to develop the company's Lynk & Co electric cars.
Rendering. New design center for global automaker Geely by Cobe
Rendering. New design center for global automaker Geely by Cobe
Rendering. New design center for global automaker Geely by Cobe
Rendering. New design center for global automaker Geely by Cobe
Rendering. New design center for global automaker Geely by Cobe
Rendering. New design center for global automaker Geely by Cobe
Model. New design center for global automaker Geely by Cobe
Model. New design center for global automaker Geely by Cobe
Model. New design center for global automaker Geely by Cobe
Model. New design center for global automaker Geely by Cobe
Sketch. New design center for global automaker Geely by Cobe
Sketch. New design center for global automaker Geely by Cobe
Site plan. New design center for global automaker Geely by Cobe
Ground floor plan. New design center for global automaker Geely by Cobe
First floor plan. New design center for global automaker Geely by Cobe
Second floor plan. New design center for global automaker Geely by Cobe
Third floor plan. New design center for global automaker Geely by Cobe
Section. New design center for global automaker Geely by Cobe
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.
More information
Architects
Project team
Alejandro Saldarriaga, Alexander Fagerholt, Anders Gade Jørgensen, Ben Goss, Birk Folke Daugaard, Camila Stadler Buschle, Claes Nilsson, Clement Bue Maali, Dan Stubbergaard, David Alba, Eik Bjerregaard, Enzo Pittol Nercolini, Gitte Højrup, Hugo Lindberg, Joanna Anna Jakubowska, Johanne Holmsberg, Laura Diestel, Lauren Taylor Heaton, Mads Lützen, Majbritt Lerche, Margarita Nutfulina, Matti Hein Nørgaard , Max Neumeister, Mette Vædele Nikolaj Harving, Ornella Clappier, Rasmus Lassen, Stefan Mylleager, Søren Jeppe Sørensen, Susanne Skov Kunert, Tonny Jensen, Ulrich Pohl.
Client
Geely Group
Area
14,000 m²
Dates
Commissioned 2018, completed 2022.
DAN STUBBERGAARD. COBE
COBE is a limited liability company owned by Founder and Creative Director Dan Stubbergaard. COBE is a progressive and contemporary community of architects that focuses on architecture and design – from buildings to public space, to large scale urban planning. In 2005 Dan Stubbergaard and Vanessa Miriam Carlow founded COBE. The name COBE is derived from the two cities the founders are coming from - COpenhagen and BErlin. Since its establishment, COBE has gained international recognition through the realization of beautiful and innovative projects.
Today, COBE is two separate companies - one seated in Copenhagen (COBE ApS headed by Dan Stubbergaard), and one in Berlin (COBE Berlin GmbH headed by Prof. Dr. Vanessa Miriam Carlow). The two offices have shared a number of projects in the past, and apart from developing projects individually, they continue to share and collaborate on selected projects - also in the future.
COBE is situated in a refurbished warehouse centrally located on the Copenhagen harbor front, and currently employs approximately 50 dedicated architects, urban planners and administrative staff of different nationalities.
COBE is run by a management team consisting of Dan Stubbergaard and a core team of Project and Administration Managers. Together, they are responsible for the company’s overall development and strategic long-term goals.
All projects are developed in project teams, made up of a mix of senior and junior architects, which are led by a Project Manager. Cross-disciplinary teamwork is central in our working method and each project team cooperates with a wide range of external experts in order to obtain the best opportunities and potential towards finding innovative solutions in each particular project.
Selected awards.-
[2012] Nykredit’s Architecture Prize. Nykredit Foundation.
MIPIM Award - Best Refurbished Building. The Library Marché International des Professionnels de l'Immobilier.
[2011] Copenhagen Award for Architecture - Best Public Building. The Library. City of Copenhagen.
[2006] The Golden Lion. Best National Pavilion. International Venice Biennale of Architecture.
