OUTSTANDING

experimenting

Sometimes we need complexity. Not only because we live in a complex world, but also because it stimulates us. And this not only generates curiosity or fun with the material, but is also emotional and therefore quite personal. After all, building is about essentials such as space and form. Of course, this special dimension of architecture must be mastered, and it requires not only experienced offices such as that of Vorarlberg architect Marc Hoffenscher, but also appropriate clients. In the case of their own company headquarters, which is presented here, the designers understandably had the greatest freedom, utilised it and combined their new place of work with offering potential clients a “field for experimenting with different spatial situations” during their visit.

building sculpture

The three-storey office building, which can be divided into three independent units and operated separately if required, docks conceptually and spatially onto a residential complex of the same office, whereby 394 square metres of office space were realised on a floor area of 350 square metres. Its expressive building sculpture is dominated by an emphatically technical façade of raw aluminium cassettes twisted together. The upper floor is shaded not by vertically folding shutters, but by horizontally falling shutters, which become a prominent formal feature of the building. The building is clearly divided into two parts, with its transparent glazed “open space” at ground level accommodating a reception, event, exhibition and experimentation hall – an active and communication area. Stairs and a lift lead up to the cantilevered, solid metallic main floor, an open space for workstations, in which a central “service station” has been placed, equipped with all the materials needed for office operations. A bench and a meeting table have been assigned to the largest window. The roof terrace and a meeting room are located at the very top.

What do you think are the key qualities of a good workplace?
A good workplace is a place that adapts to the way you work, gives you enough freedom to change, lifts you up every day and feels like a favourite piece of clothing. A place that likes me!
Do you see any similarities in interior design for living and working?
We spend a lot of time at work, so offices have increasingly become living spaces. However, I think that they are still very different activity spaces that generate completely different encounters and therefore need to be designed differently!
Which functional aspects do you consider to be the most important for the future development of workspaces?
The workplace is increasingly no longer an actual workplace, but a space for encounters and confirmation of a sense of belonging, which is reinforced by rituals in this place. Company headquarters will become an embassy and employees will become its ambassadors. Work is then done either in the office, on the road or at home. That is no longer so important.