Inhabitat











March 19, 2008

Crystalline Fertilizer Company Headquarters in Minsk

by Cate Trotter

Belarusian Potash Company, Varabyeu Partners, Minsk, green atrium, potash eco-building, Belarus green

Despite being the manufacturer of chemical fertilizer (something that is not usually seen as ‘green’), the Belarusian Potash Company (BPC) has managed to incorporate green design features and employee health and well-being into their design for the new headquarters in Minsk, Belarus. Giving new meaning to the term ‘biomimicry’, (chemicalmimicry?) the colorful new fertilizer headquarter building resembles a gigantic crystalline structure.


Belarusian Potash Company, Varabyeu Partners, Minsk, green atrium, potash eco-building, Belarus green

Architects Varabyeu Partners drew design inspiration from the chemical crystals that BPC creates, using its shape to drive the main floor plan of the building. The building features two wings, connected by an atrium eight stories high. Each wing of the building contains a vertical garden space to provide natural ventilation and climate control, as well as boosting the inhabitants’ wellbeing.

Worker happiness is further considered by using the space to provide employees with fitness classes, a sauna and pool. The right wing houses and amphitheater, with office spaces are located on the top floors.

Making use of Belarus’ mineral-rich land, the company controls 33% of the world potash export market, supplying Africa, Asia-Pacific, Central and South America, China, Europe, India and the USA.

+ Varabyeu Partners

Via World Architecture News

Belarusian Potash Company, Varabyeu Partners, Minsk, green atrium, potash eco-building, Belarus green

Belarusian Potash Company, Varabyeu Partners, Minsk, green atrium, potash eco-building, Belarus green

Belarusian Potash Company, Varabyeu Partners, Minsk, green atrium, potash eco-building, Belarus green

5 Responses to “Crystalline Fertilizer Company Headquarters in Minsk”

Brian Lang
Brian Lang Says:
 Add karma Subtract karma  +0

A very elegant design! I like it.

User Gravatar
organicgrid Says:
 Add karma Subtract karma  +0

Not a big fan of red glass, however they pulled it off.

hugo
hugo Says:
 Add karma Subtract karma  +0

Yes, very nice design. I like the contrast of the crystal pointy like outside and the fluid organic inside. It makes the building look alive.

But I do have the feeling this building is green because green is “in”, and the company has a bit too much money therefor this “show-off” project? If polluting was “in”, they’d have very polluting hadquarters. But hey, luckely green is “in”.

lehas
lehas Says:
 Add karma Subtract karma  +0

I’m personally from Belarus and so glad that this design appeared on http://www.inhabitat.com
Our country doesn’t have oil and gas deposits as our neighbour Russia do and i think in some way it is a positive thing as it pushes our country to explore the techniques and approaches moving in “green” direction, rather than convert oil/gas into $ The design itsself may not be so perfect but the idea behind it and a will to go green is so great to hear about.

User Gravatar
ioni Says:
 Add karma Subtract karma  +0

Lovely!
And you know what - I live in Minsk and I do not see it coming to life..

Anyway, the architects site is so appropriate - under construction :)

Leave a Comment

Please keep your comments relevant to this blog entry. Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments.

Please note that gratuitous links to your site are viewed as spam and may result in removed comments.

SIGN UP NOW

CURRENT USERS LOGIN

Lost your password?

Add your comments