ZEMCH 2015 - International Conference Proceedings | Page 728

Spaces and Functions Figure 4: Basement floor (left) and ground floor (right) (Author) Basement is lowered 1.5m under the grade, and it’s accessible by a ramp linking to the ground floor. Showing the alternative fueled car models is the main function. Supporting facilities like toilets, pantry, store and services and a hydraulic lifting the cars upwards are available to integrate the workability of the space. Ground floor is raised for 1.5m above the ground. Visitors reach the entrance through a ramp, passing by a water feature – to help cooling down the temperature and its aesthetic wise- then passing by a grass trapezoidal roof mass which has 3 glazed sides that lets visitors have a glance to the cars exhibited in the basement. One car is exhibited in the ground floor, and it’s replaced every time the showroom receives a new brand, or an innovative alternative prototype from a manufacturer. It’s accessed from the left mass of the building, north side from an operable glazed full height window system. Employees work in an open flexible office system. The right side is a display and screening system that provides shows and demonstrations for new technologies and smart cars making related to the alternative and renewable fuels that help reduce the carbon emissions. Figure 5: Building mezzanine floor plan, left- Section crossing the offices (Author) 726 ZEMCH 2015 | International Conference | Bari - Lecce, Italy