Lay Light presents sharp contrast on BIG project
In Basel, Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) has transformed a 1960s concrete warehouse building into a melting pot of materials and applications. The renovation includes a new vertical extension clad with Lay Light. The effect is a sharp and refined contrast to the original rugged concrete.Pictures by Laurian Ghinitoiu
The renovated warehouse, "Transitlager", is located in Basel's Dreispitz industrial district, which since 2003 has undergone extensive urban renewal with view to creating a new arts precinct. As part of the renovation, a further three storeys clad with Lay Light have been added. With this light, translucent fibreglass material, the new extension presents a sharp contrast to the rugged concrete building.
A mix of materials and applications
The new hybrid building houses everything from shops, offices and art to vibrant urban spaces and tranquil gardens. The extension consists of apartments that will ensure life in the building 24 hours a day. The hybrid philosophy also inspired the choice of materials, heavy-duty industrial materials like concrete and steel being used alongside the lightweight and translucent Lay Light. This evokes a sense of two distinct buildings placed one on top of one another. The colour of the cladding changes with the light, and its appearance therefore varies in the course of the day.
