Audi Kette is a building system for Smart Future Factory (SFF) solutions. It is created based on Quattro principles of Flexibility, Recyclability, Human friendliness and Communications.
Flexibility: Audi Kette is based on the hexagon shape grig that could form a versatile and adjustable 24 meter‐wide column-free space in 3 directions. The structure has vast unsupported spaces achieved by increasing the size of spans of load‐bearing structures. It creates a continuous, flowing space by a grouping of individual functional areas. Vertical communications and non-production areas grouped into cylinder-shaped standard elements used as Kette connectors.
Recyclability: SFF life cycle decreased to four stages of
1) design for deconstruction.
2) construction.
3) occupancy and maintenance.
4) deconstruction and elements reuse.
This is achieved by using timber for load‐bearing construction elements and reusable facade blocks. These elements are all part of Modular assembly, the same principle as Audi uses in modern cars production. Knowledge of precise position and life long ‘behaviour’ of each element in the existing building will help to use this element again and again in new constructions. The building becomes recyclable because its life is virtually endless, as it changes and adapts to future needs without being ever demolished and disposed of. It will live as a Lego set as long, as there is somebody who wants to ‘play’ with it. The one’s production function is no longer relevant building could live a second life as a public space.
Human-friendliness: one of the important features of this future architecture will be a link between the exterior environment and interior spaces. The transition to the factory of the future is also a cultural transition. Audi employees no longer want to always work on the same patterns. Today, creativity, speed, and flexibility are more important than ever. This should be reflected in spaces that give humans a sense of the perfect scale. Natural light, view of the sky above are all possible with already available technology.
Communications: our objective is to create Future Smart Factory that not only communicates data from all its elements but also clearly manifests its purpose and function. What Smart Factory should look like? What are the key elements that will communicate the building ‘smartness’? We are confident that Kette design, systematic lightweight construction, and intelligent functions ‐ key features of Audi production culture, should be exhibited in the appearance of the ‘smart’ building.
