Sto Factory and Silo Tower
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South facade
Richard Bryant/Arcaid (website) Download Original
Second phase of Michael Wilford and Partner’s 1994 masterplan for Sto’s industrial plant in southern Germany
In contrast to the K building, which already provides the long-term architectural context of the site, the second phase of the Sto masterplan has no architectural metaphor.
The new building is carefully scaled to the low-rise heart of the site while making links to the larger forms of existing industrial buildings. The plan of the building comprises two offset rectangles – the silo tower and just-in-time factory, sharing some functional connections, though different in broad purpose.
The silo tower is essentially the wrapping of an industrial process. The factory is more room-like, but still largely a few unspecific spaces.
Using an essential palette of folded elements against a background of render or metal sheet, with glimpses of glazing, each functional zone is articulated by differing forms and colours. Wilford’s characteristic magenta articulates the main structural elements; the colouring of the silos is architectural rather than functional. Using strong forms and changes in scale, each facade of the building plays a different public role making connections with the outdoor spaces.
Data
- Begun: Mar 2000
- Completed: Nov 2003
- Floor area: 20,545m2
- Sector: Industrial
- Total cost: £18.4M
- Address: Weizen, Germany
Professional Team 
- Architect: Michael Wilford & Partners, Wilford Schupp Architekten
- Project architect: Michael Wilford
- Client: STO
- Process Engineers: OTB
- Site Supervisor: Ingenieurgruppe Flösser
- Site Supervisor (facades and roofs): Wilford Schupp Architekten
- Structural engineer: Ingenieurgruppe Flösser
- Services engineer: Ingenieur Büro für Technik Gebäudeausrüstung
- Services engineer: Ingenieurbüro Manolla
- Civil engineer: Unger Ingenieure
- Fire engineer: Herr Drescher
- Civil engineer: Claus Hofman
- Electrical engineer : Ingenieurebüro Schnell
- Soil analysis: Prof Dr Ing E Vees
- Main contractor: Ursprüngliche Nachricht
Suppliers
- Facade panels: Verotec with StoLook metallic paint
- Metal facades, windows (tower): Dilger Metallbau
- Metal facades, windows (factory): Mundal Metallbau
- Silo tower and process facilities: Doubrava