Clean Planning

A Legacy of Innovation in Sanitary Engineering

Founded in 1901, the manufacturer of faucets, showers, and shower systems in Schiltach has long been a staple of the German construction industry. Shower, bath, and kitchen are its core areas of expertise. However, even a ubiquitous player with a continually updated portfolio sometimes requires a comprehensive rebranding of its own work environment. And for that, one enlists an interior design firm, as a contemporary, productive, and pleasant work environment must be precisely defined and planned.

w:architekten took on the design of the 1,560 square meters of office space in the existing building to create a new spatial quality for 140 employees with 100 stationary workstations – based on the principles of New Work. Desk sharing and collaboration areas were to provide a platform for flexible and creative work. The layout of the designated area on the first floor is divided accordingly: classic work desk groups are placed along the windows, with meeting and activity zones in the center. A Vecos locker system supports the dynamic organization and hybrid execution of individual workflows.

Nature-Inspired Design Reflecting Local Heritage

For the interior design, the team relied on Vitra as a complete system supplier for high-quality and sustainable furniture. To achieve the desired regional style, natural materials and colors were used, with a strong connection to the surrounding landscape of the Black Forest and the mountains. The warm atmosphere and inviting material compositions aim to offer users and guests a harmonious, nature-inspired environment. Formally and thematically, the proximity of hansgrohe to water and its location in the Kinzig river valley is reflected. Detailed solutions come into play, with curves shaping the space and alluding to the flowing water and the smooth pebbles in the stream. The layout of the space mirrors the dynamics and values of the company. It quickly becomes clear that a new workplace concept is worthwhile: flexibility, collaboration, and new opportunities for teamwork and exchange invigorate the collective experience.

What can architecture do for a good workplace?

Jörg Wörner: Beyond the spatial and functional foundations for a good workplace, architecture serves as a projection space for the user’s identification with their workspace. It reflects the identity of a company. In addition to all functional and representational aspects, the work environment must also satisfy social and emotional needs, which good architecture significantly supports.

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

Individual needs are only relevant when work requires specific fundamentals, such as particular equipment, tools, spatial dimensions, or lighting conditions. Generally, however, workspaces should not be tailored to an individual but should remain structurally and spatially flexible and agile. The design must primarily serve the organization, not the personal preferences of its members. The spatial and structural characteristics of a building are resilient and sustainable when they meet a wide range of requirements and adaptability.

What functions and/or spaces are the most important in a workplace for you?

The coffee kitchen is the most important place in a workplace. It might sound trivial at first, but at the coffee machine and in its surroundings, you can learn a lot about the spirit of a workplace and the company. These places tell you much about how people work together, how communication functions in an office, and the appreciation and understanding that is shown to employees.