High agency factor

Access to urban life

The newly occupied Düsseldorf headquarters of the digital agency TWT benefits on the one hand from its central location at the Wehrhahn railway station in the city centre. On the other hand offers the pentagonal existing complex from the 1990s plenty of light, a roof terrace and direct access to urban life.

More than 2,700 square metres of office space are available, distributed over the top three floors. They are accessible via three towers of stairs and lifts, most of which also house the toilet clusters. The possibilities of use are diverse – an aspect that only benefited the creativity of the planning interior designers.

The foundation of the TWT Workspace is formed by its 120 fixed workplaces, which were – mostly as symmetrically arranged tables for two or four – primarily placed at the window fronts. Because of the building’s multi-angled floor plan, they face in six different directions. The traffic route running through the centre of each wing is also varied and – rhythmised by sound-insulating passage doors – constantly passes through new zones despite its simple access function.

Open Spaces

While closed-off multiple offices and meeting rooms are lined up to the right and left on the 3rd and 5th floors, there are mainly four open spaces on the 4th floor. A flexible space concept “with a high agency factor” was used, which allows for specific requirements as well as adaptations. It ranges from telephone and video boxes, small informal lounges, round meeting islands and “coffee points” to fixed workplaces for sitting and standing and expands via transformable conference rooms to the reception area, which can be set up as an event space.

Homeliness

The ambience, which recognisably strives for aesthetic space to breathe and controlled potential for change, is characterised by a homeliness that owes itself, among other things, to materials such as maritime pine wood or woven textiles. A significant plus, especially for city dwellers, is the planted roof terrace, which adjoins the cafeteria – the Living Kitchen – on the middle floor with an open space. Those who not only want to strengthen themselves but also relax can visit the relaxation room with cushions and table football or the fitness and course rooms.

What do you consider to be the supporting qualities of a good workplace?

Susanne Brandherm: The office is the basis, it remains the anchor for the company. We are very sure that this will not change. However, the working world should be thought of as a hybrid, with three components: at home – in the office – in third places. The intersections are manifold. The third place can also be an area in the office, such as the roof terrace, the café, etc. Basically, the workspace responds flexibly and individually to the work structure or culture. Interior space solutions require leeway here, this will have to be considered individually.

Do you see any comparability in interior design for living and for working?

The appreciation of interiors has definitely increased in recent years, not only since the pandemic. Due to changes in life models in Generation Y, employers are more eager than ever to attract and retain employees through a great working atmosphere as well. In the private sphere, one’s own standards have also changed; a “nice” home is recognised as a great added value. Living and working can and should be different. To always be in a working atmosphere around the clock is not good.

Which functional aspects are decisive for you in the future development of workspaces?

Through digitalisation and the pandemic we have learned to work differently. The pandemic has intensified this process – but digitalisation has already heralded it. That’s why we no longer speak of workplaces but of places of work. The future is an unfixed period of time, it can be tomorrow or in 1000 years. Functional aspects will become more important, such as flexibility, multifunctionality, but also traditional values like quality and reliability.