Proof of Work

A New Office Space for Innovation and Collaboration

“Nomen est omen,” says the proverb. If the new office location in Dresden is called “Public Work Documentation,” then the move of the company there certainly guarantees a productive future. In fact, the building was named after its completion in 1926 as the first Employment Office of the Weimar Republic. The adesso SE, a consulting and IT service company, rented the top two floors to install 70 stationary and 100 active workstations on 1,700 square meters of office space. The expressionistically shaped floor plan consists of a longitudinal section with end pavilions protruding like brackets, a rear central wing, and a centrally located, prismatically tapering staircase in the front. No question – an inspiring work environment, perfect for the concept of New Work. The floor areas were designed as open space and include zones for team collaboration, offices for focused work, a parent-child office, meeting rooms for internal coordination and video meetings, and flexible conference rooms for up to 80 participants.

A Blend of Functionality, Color, and Well-Being

The renovation of the listed building impresses with carefully selected furniture and incorporates acoustic measures such as sound-absorbing ceiling plaster, carpet floors, and wall coverings. Glass partition walls with classic muntin divisions separate smaller office units. The color palette for the walls and ceilings, which is inspired by Le Corbusier’s “Polychromie Architecturale,” also contributes to the well-being of employees through atmospheric or formal qualities. It manages to personalize the otherwise functional interior aesthetics with its strong color effects, creating spatial characters and also serving as an orientation guide.

A highlight of this workplace is the open-space area at the end of the central section, where a wooden-clad room box stands in the two-story space. The box offers a “discussion area” and storage space on the lower level, while the upper level provides a rooftop terrace surrounded by greenery for relaxation. To support work-life balance, employees also have access to a bistro, coffee point, quiet room, gaming room, and the rooftop terrace with views over Dresden. The office building provides secure bike parking and showers for cycling employees.

What can architecture do for a good workplace?

Marco Padoan: Good architecture can create a sense of place and thus foster identification with the location. It should be a place people enjoy visiting, where they feel comfortable, where the room acoustics and lighting – both artificial and natural – are never disruptive, and where a pleasant indoor climate is maintained.

How much should the design of the workspace cater to individual needs?

There needs to be a balance between a uniform design and individual needs. The larger the company, the more important the cultural identity at the workplace becomes. Therefore, we try to consider and promote the unique aspects of a team. This could be something as simple as a shared popcorn machine, an inflatable palm from the last seminar trip to Turkey, or a postcard wall.

Which functions and/or spaces are the most important to you in a working environment?

Bistros and coffee points. The bistro should be located centrally in the building, so that every employee must pass through it multiple times a day. We envision coffee points on the floors sparingly. We are happy to accept longer distances to encourage more random encounters among our employees.