BMW plant in Leipzig
Floorcovering satisfies high standards of design, quality and durability

The central building is the distinctive architectural hallmark of the BMW plant in Leipzig. Rubber floorcovering was installed in the traffic areas that not only satisfies functional and building law requirements, but also the automobile manufacturer's own needs.

In 2005, the BMW Group sold over 1.3 million BMWs, MINIs and Rolls-Royces, which makes it one of the most successful automobile manufacturers in the world. One of the pillars of this success is a corporate philosophy that doesn't just accord priority to mobility, but also design, quality and sustainability. The other defining elements that are visualised at the BMW plant's central building in Leipzig are transparency and communication.

The design is by London-based architect, Zaha Hadid, who won a high-profile international competition with Gross.Max landscape architects from Edinburgh. The jury decided that Zaha's design delivered "a harmonious overall concept that satisfies the integrative and communicative requirements" and "provides an appealing and high quality working environment".

JPG, 178 KB, 120 dpi The sophisticated architecture of the central building is the high-profile hallmark of the BMW plant in Leipzig.	JPG, 238 KB, 120 dpi The central building is the nerve centre of the BMW factory complex. Hallways, stairways and ramps interconnect all the different levels and workplaces. The rubber floorcovering in these areas is coordinated to the overall colour concept.

The central building functions as the main entrance for staff and visitors and, at the same time, it is the dynamic focal point of the entire plant because it connects three production buildings: one where raw auto bodies are fabricated, another where the paint shop is located and, finally, the assembly hall. One of the building's most eye-catching features is the generously-dimensioned upper floor projecting over the entrance that leads straight into the light-flooded public foyer. The plant's 'lifeline' is the first thing that catches the eye of anyone entering the foyer. It is a 600 m long conveyor belt transporting the car bodies through 'mid-air' to the paint shop and then on to the assembly hall. The auditing area is the central focus of attention. This central positioning makes it clear just how much importance BMW attaches to quality assurance.

The central building is 26,000 m² in size and consists of cascading sequences of terraced plates housing presentation and communication zones, offices, training rooms, laboratories, workshops and staff social rooms, including a keep-fit zone and a health service area. Stairways, ramps and hallways interconnect all the different levels and workplaces.

The building's organic design reflects the production processes, and the materials and colours used reflect the automobile manufacturer's philosophy. Flowing shapes symbolise dynamism, grey concrete and steel direct attention to the blue illuminated track that transports the half-finished car bodies and bears reference to the BMW brand blue.

Low-maintenance floorcovering with outstanding walking comfort

The colour scheme of the floorcovering had to be tailored to the building's overall concept, and the material had to satisfy BMW's requirements of design, quality and durability. BMW and the planners opted for nora rubber floorcovering, because it has proven its outstanding qualities over many decades in prestigious surroundings and in high traffic zones. Freudenberg Bausysteme KG 's expertise relating to the material of rubber and its specific properties extends back for more than 50 years, and the company's collection includes around 260 different colours and a wide range of surface finishes. This kind of floorcovering also offers fire protection advantages, which is especially important in this very open-plan central building. nora rubber floorcoverings are classified according to DIN 4102, Part 1 and equivalent international standards as flame retardant. They contain no PVC or halogen. This means that, in case of fire, they do not give off hydrogen chloride, which causes chemical burns to the respiratory tract when inhaled and can form dangerous hydrochloric acid if it comes into contact with fire-extinguishing water. Permanent resilience ensures excellent walking comfort, another decision criterion of the BMW plant in Leipzig, because the floorcovering is also installed in the heavy traffic areas. The other criteria include low maintenance requirements, durability and resilience. The extremely dense, impermeable and therefore dirt-retardant surface of nora rubber floorcovering provides anti-soiling properties, improved hygiene conditions and, as a result, lower cleaning and maintenance requirements.

A total of 17,000 m² of grey norament with the classic pastille surface was installed in the hallways and on the ramps. 1,200 norament stairtreads - pre-formed stair covering elements consisting of nosing, step and riser - in the same colour and design were used on the stairways.

JPG, 279 KB, 120 dpi The rubber floorcovering unites high walking comfort with durability and low maintenance, which is why it was used for the overhead visitor walkways.	JPG, 225 KB, 120 dpi The stairtreads consist of an integrated nosing, step and riser. They were installed at the BMW plant in the classic pastille design.

The Weinheim-based company's rubber floorcovering was also installed in the keep-fit and first-aid areas, as well as in some of the training rooms, though BMW and the planners opted for other designs and colours in these zones. noraplan logic, a floorcovering with a homogeneous design consisting of three colour chips in a warm grey-brown colour was selected for the keep-fit and first-aid zones. Anti-static properties were an additional requirement for the floorcovering in the training rooms. That's why 2,200 m² of noraplan mega in a friendly pale grey was installed there.

JPG, 218 KB, 120 dpi BMW provides its employees with a large keep-fit centre where rubber floorcovering in warm grey-brown was installed.	JPG, 224 KB, 120 dpi In some of the training rooms, the rubber floorcovering has anti-static properties to protect the employees and the equipment.

Production commenced at the BMW plant in Leipzig in March 2005, and it has turned out over 100,000 vehicles since then. The central building, with its outstanding architectural design and functional properties, has been used as a communication hub and meeting place since that time by around 4,500 BMW employees and the suppliers who work at the plant. Over 100,000 visitors have come to the plant since it opened to obtain a personal impression of Zaha Hadid's highly inventive architecture and they have walked in comfort along the floorcoverings to gain an insight into the production processes of a company that not only demands the highest standards of design, quality and durability in its vehicles, but also in its production halls and the materials used inside them.

JPG, 205 KB, 120 dpi The production zones are directly linked to the central building via stairways. Note about the photos: The photos can only be used with the following copyright reference: Photo: BMW AG/Photographer: Martin Klindtworth

Data
Customer:
BMW AG, Munich

Architect:
Zaha Hadid Architects, London