JMG Systems Ltd Headquarters, Offices, R&D, Stores & CNC Production.

 

JMG Systems are an Omagh based Specialist Electronics Design/Manufacturing Business. JMG Systems was established in 1976 & through development and innovation they have now become a major employer in NI & distribute their products & services globally. Through the years JMG Systems have extended and modified their existing buildings several times as a reaction to their business growth. This resulted in their original buildings being a mismatch of Architectural Styles and Materials. In 2012 McCarter Hamill Architects were appointed to design new Offices, R&D Facilities & Production Space on their current site. The Directors of JMG Systems recognised that their existing buildings were not adequate for their needs and could no longer be modified for future growth.

 

JMG Systems pride themselves on producing State of the Art Technology and Innovative Design/Manufacturing Solutions in the Electronics Sector and wanted their building to reflect this on the exterior. McCarter Hamill Architects where tasked with designing a landmark building which was to be an extension to their already strong and recognisable brand.

 

The main parameters where to ensure that the business operations were not hindered, to demolish the existing production building which was of insufficient size & construction, to rationalise the site to allow ease of deliveries, maximise car parking & create a safe drop off zone for the onsite Crèche.

 

The completed building fulfils the client’s needs in a dynamic, attractive & innovative building. The new Office Building has an aluminium curtain wall to its front, split with a horizontal line of JMG orange coloured fibre cement cladding. The main entrance to the building has a Jura Limestone surround, with the company logo engraved in its lintel. The splayed reveals to the entrance & projecting frameless glass canopy, which has an orange tint, leaves no doubt to where the entrance is located.

 

The pitched warm roof construction is covered with zinc coloured standing seam aluminium, with a large projecting/leaning standing seam copper dormer which appears to cantilever from the building. The conference room is housed in this large copper dormer, with a sliding folding partition to allow flexibility within the room. Panoramic views of Omagh can be enjoyed from this room through the aluminium framed curtain walling with the external head & reveal of the dormer clad in JMG orange coloured fibre cement. The road side gable is clad vertically in untreated western red wood cedar & framed with a JMG orange badge detail. This gable is interrupted with the projecting standing seam copper lift shaft that also extends above the roof line & has a mono pitch to match the main roof.

 

A brise soleil structure which provides solar shading to the first floor extends out from the main roof at the same pitch & creates the effect of the first floor projecting out.

 

The retained 2.5 storey Stores/Offices were over clad at ground level with untreated western red wood cedar, at first floor level with dark grey staggered fibre cement cladding which were perfectly spaced between the replacement aluminium framed windows with boxed out surround flashings. 3No. Simple standing seam clad dormers project from the existing over clad roof. The result of the facade works to the existing building is a seamless junction between new and old.

 

The split level site was completely remodelled to reduce the level difference. A sharp engineering brick retaining wall now acts as a spin to the site. The engineering brick entrance walls & a circular paving feature with a central up lit tree to accommodate large delivery vehicles act as bookends to the spin wall. A pedestrian crossing areas for the Crèche users, with a feature paved traffic island was created by recessing the entrance off the public road to create a to create a generous and safe environment.

 

The clients were unsure what they wanted with regard to fixed building services however they did stress that they wanted an energy efficient building. The finished building is highly insulated with contemporary energy efficient light fittings, it is heated and cooled with Air Conditioning & has a Heat Recovery Ventilation System installed.

 

The Private Offices are enclosed using a frameless glass partition system which echo the exterior curtain walling & creates a private environment for the JMG Management while allowing them to supervise their staff. All interior finishes including floor coverings, ironmongery, doors, furniture, blinds & paint colours were suggested by the Architects & approved by the clients. This has resulted in a contemporary, warm & comfortable internal working environment which we hope will encourage & motive JMG Systems staff to continue their innovative work & success.

 

The mix of materials, colours, textures & built form within this building provided a challenge both for the Design and Construction teams, however with teamwork & a trusting clients it has resulted in a creation of a landmark building & a very happy client.