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Siège social et entrepôt Velec
By : Catalyse Urbaine
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 17th edition
Discipline : Architecture
Categories : Commercial Building / Factory & Warehouse
Velec, new headquarters for electric bicycle manufacturer
The principles of functionality, simplicity and raw aesthetics drove the design of this new headquarters for Velec, a Quebec-based leader in the design of electrically assisted vehicles. Inspired by these Bauhaus principles and the thought that industrial architecture should be beautiful, the head office and warehouse incorporates simple yet elegant geometric forms that echo the aesthetics of speed.
A pewter-colored aerodynamic stripe wraps around the building, recalling both the speed of an electric bicycle, the company’s name, and a positive movement towards an electrified future.
Prefabricated insulated metal panels made installation quick and easy, while offering the flexibility of integrating the aerodynamic strip, and a fade of silver colors reminiscent of the stroboscopic effect of a moving spoke wheel. Innovative automated shelving technology optimized storage space. Site runoff is captured in a landscaped retention basin, planted with native shrubs and perennials to promote biodiversity.
The building’s distinctive architectural signature has instilled a sense of pride and belonging among Velec employees, whose numbers have tripled since its construction. Large windows in the administrative area offer views of the Montérégiennes mountains and abundant natural light.
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