2017
This Project entailed the architectural and interior ergonomic design of a new Centralized Control Building for Tupras’s Izmit Refinery. This Project is the first Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certified Centralized Control Building in the world.
A smooth, grassy hill envelops the reinforced concrete, blast-resistant Control Building, embodying a visual and physical oasis within its harsh surroundings, where a high level of environmental sustainability within both its external and internal design provides a high quality everyday experience to its workers.
With this design, we wished to provide visual respite from the heavy industrial background, representing our aspiration to design through an innovative lens and to provide an unexpected departure from the architectural elements that commonly characterise blast-resistant Control Buildings.
The internal design emphasises its high ceilings and glass windows, which generate a sense of openness and depth to the work environment, and the use of a sophisticated and artificial skylight, which provides dynamic lighting that emulates the characteristics of natural light.
Natural materials and finishes, such as wood, natural stones and vertical gardens, have been selected for the interior design of the Control Centre. These elements contribute to the creation of a sensorially stimulating work environment, which facilitates operator alertness despite long hour shifts and high-stress situations.
The project has achieved the first golden LEED certificate for a Control Building by successfully integrating green infrastructure and high water and energy efficiency with the needs of a large centralised facility. In addition to the external green roof, vertical gardens are located inside the building, and grey water irrigation systems are implemented to reduce water waste. The external greenery covers an electronic net which identifies and intercepts humidity points to avoid water seeping through the ceiling.
Spazio is a highly specialised firm on Control Building and Command Center Design. Piera Scuri and Douglas Skene are the Co-founders and CEOs.
With 30 years of experience Spazio developed a unique know how and innovative design capabilities in this field, thus providing bespoke and leading edge solution for its Clients. Spazio recently completed the first Digital Command Centre of the Oil&Gas sector for Adnoc Group, in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
