Zeochem Laboratory + Office Building

Based in Switzerland, Zeochem is a global manufacturer of high-quality molecular sieves, chromatography gels, and solvents, with locations in China, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Singapore, and Kentucky. The Louisville headquarters offers sales, manufacturing, and research & development all on one campus. Recognizing the inefficiencies of their current complex, Zeochem reached out to KPFF to bring offices, conference spaces, R&D labs, and sales/service under one roof. KPFF served as the prime consultant for the new U.S. headquarters, overseeing architectural, MEP engineering, and civil disciplines to converge on a solution for the Client.

The Design Team iterated several times with the Client to identify the appropriate program, layout, and systems that reconciled with their strict target budget. The laboratory component added a layer of complexity to the project given the precise internal environmental conditions required, as well as specialized building code requirements (e.g. NFPA45). The new 15,000SF industrial office was unveiled to enthusiastic staff and proud international leadership in 2022, which was made possible thanks to a talented group of professionals who listened, collaborated, and delivered. The Zeochem plus KPFF partnership continues today with additional plant expansions and industrial process renovations.

Both the office and laboratories are flooded with light due to an abundance of windows. The structural system employed moment-resistant steel frames to remove any needs for x-bracing that would interfere with light and exterior views. Thin-gage metal channel systems carry the exterior cladding system of masonry veneer and wide window openings. In lieu of typical open-web steel roof joists, conventional wide-flange beams were used in order to provide ample structural capacity for the laboratory’s equipment demands now and in the future.