BORA, Niederndorf (AT)

BORA stands for innovative kitchen extractor technology: since 2007, the company has provided extractor systems that do not require a hood and extract fumes downwards. An impressive new building with a sustainable design has been constructed in the Austrian town of Niederndorf to serve BORA as an administration and training centre. The building houses the firm's marketing, research and development, product management, corporate architecture and export departments as well as a development laboratory. Everything looks modern and tangible while focusing on a just a few different materials and playing with traditional influences from the region. Whereas a wooden cladding of traditional, local larch tiles lends the building an unmistakable face from the exterior, clear-cut, natural and authentic basic raw materials dominate the interior. The interior architect Simon Gafriller came up with a design that skilfully creates a contrast between raw-looking elements on the one hand and concrete, glass and extremely elegant interior fittings on the other. A further important aspect of his design is the optimal exploitation of natural daylight and a lighting concept with daylight control that supports natural biorhythms. The Nimbus Group helped to implement this concept by supplying a special solution from its Modul R Project range. These particularly slim, round luminaires were complemented by matching elements from the Rossoacoustic PAD System. These not only ensure pleasant acoustic conditions but also set lively visual accents on the ceilings of the rooms thanks to their fresh colours.