Denne to build new green commercial premises for LEMO
(21/12/2009)

LEMO (UK) Ltd produces high performance connectors for fibre optic cabling. Their specialist products are used for advanced technology applications by, among others, NASA and the Maclaren Formula 1 team.

Denne, part of the Leadbitter Group, is to build new commercial premises for LEMO (UK) Ltd, in Worthing, West Sussex. The new building will create the additional capacity the company requires to develop its manufacturing base, in particular its cable assembly facilities.

The project, which involves the redevelopment of the existing site, posed a series of design challenges. Buildings in the vicinity are all low-rise, which required a scheme design that not only provides the necessary space and functionality, while reflecting the company’s high tech corporate image, but is also sensitive to its surroundings.

The scheme has been designed stepping back each successive floor to minimise visibility from street level. The escaping curved façade around the building length allows views through the site and into the church and surrounding area. The distinctive design, developed by Swiss architects Mühlemann + Partner, incorporates a warehouse, plant storage facilities, administration space, cafeteria and technical rooms.

A holistic ‘green’ approach to the entire site has been encouraged and achieved by surrounding the building with soft landscaping and high quality paved car parking areas. Trees and vegetation border the site, thereby further softening the transition from site to neighbourhood.

The project is scheduled for completion in Autumn 2010.