In the Green

Iconic Design as a Corporate Signature

“Once seen, never forgotten” – this is the ideal effect of impactful architecture, especially in projects for public or commercial clients. Scale, materials, and color design are the primary tools. These elements define the striking façade of the Profol Innovation Centre in Halfing, Upper Bavaria, which serves as a distinctive brand signature for the company. Munich-based firm TKEZ Architects designed the three-story volume, consisting of a new head building and an existing warehouse, with a light and dynamic façade system inspired by the ultra-thin bands used in Profol’s film production. These twisted bands provide shading for the southwest-facing floor-to-ceiling glazing, contributing to the building’s sustainable energy profile—complemented by a groundwater heat pump for heating and cooling. The green-toned bands harmonize with the surrounding landscape, both visually and spatially. Sustainability is further enhanced by repurposing the existing warehouse into a forward-thinking research and development unit, complete with a laboratory and testing machinery.

Light, Flow and Flexibility Inside

The 554-square-meter office space is designed for openness and transparency, using sound-insulating, frameless glass partitions combined with electric curtain systems. The concept of light, textile-like exterior bands continues inside as flowing curtains along rounded glass walls that separate workspaces from circulation areas. Their wave-like form helps significantly reduce reverberation and improves acoustic performance. Oak wood entry doors add warmth and tactile quality through their natural grain and finish. At the heart of the space is the Profol Kitchen, a central hub that—together with SoftWork zones—supports informal communication. The layout is defined by flexible team areas, interspersed with meeting zones and open communication areas. A green courtyard along the newly built connecting corridor between the new and existing buildings offers a quiet outdoor retreat, complemented by a spacious rooftop terrace on the second floor.

What do you consider the essential qualities of a good workplace?

Tanjo Klöpper: The primary aspects are functionality and flexibility. Truly efficient work is only possible when employees are provided with a workspace that is individually tailored to the project team and specific requirements—a “customized” environment. Building upon this functional foundation, we develop a coherent lighting and design concept that is equally tailored to the company, fostering identification and motivation, thereby enhancing the overall spatial and experiential quality.

Do you see similarities in spatial design between living and working environments?

When designing residential buildings and living spaces, we start from fundamentally different typologies, requirements, and spatial qualities. Consequently, the principles of concept development and the formulation of spatial qualities for work environments are more dynamic, oriented towards interaction, exchange, and professional communication. In contrast, private space concepts and living areas aim to achieve atmospherically immersive spatial qualities.

Which functional aspects do you consider crucial for the future development of workspaces?

The exchange and communication among employees and colleagues are essential for a company. Therefore, communal zones within a workspace must be continuously developed, re-conceived, and re-imagined to intuitively and flexibly support collaboration and interaction. At the same time, individual retreat areas must be seamlessly integrated.