Urban Contrast

Merging Baroque Heritage with Modern Workplace Design

It was about the office location of the software company SAP in Dresden. A six-story building complex located near Postplatz, within walking distance of Dresden’s main train station and in close proximity to the Zwinger, was selected – known as the “Annenhöfe.” The client from Walldorf commissioned SCOPE Architects with the interior design of the new “SAP Office Space,” which was to be implemented on the 5th floor, covering 3,460 square meters for 200 employees. From the outset, the planners took the baroque residential city into account, incorporating its urbanity and unique cultural sophistication into the concept. The presence of local qualities – visual arts, architecture, history, location, and future vitality – was intended to be tangible and inspiring in this workspace: through the selection of materials, surfaces, textures, shapes, sizes, and colors, transformed into the interior of the new office space.

A Fusion of Flexibility, Innovation, and Sustainability

The SAP office space spans the entire 5th floor and is centrally accessed via a spacious entrance area with two access control systems. Adjacent to this are collectively used spaces such as the work café, a break zone, a game room, and a washing kitchen. Larger meeting rooms and a creative room border the communal area. The flexible office spaces are divided into more open and closed areas of varying sizes, complemented by smaller rooms for meetings and focused work. A Learning Hub offers the opportunity for quiet and concentrated learning, supported by various information media. The spatial program is completed by service functions such as sanitary facilities, IT, and printer rooms.

Those who take a closer look at the aesthetics of this workspace will recognize the precise play with contrasts, as seen in the unconventional use of materials and the selection of furniture and colors: tiles, room-dividing grid structures, and acoustically effective wood wool panels are placed together in various geometric configurations within the interior. Different surfaces, soft, textured fabrics, and carpets meet smooth and hard materials such as porcelain stoneware and mineral composites. Shiny, reflective materials in the form of folded trapezoidal sheets contrast with matte, rough structures. All materials follow an environmentally sustainable approach and are easily recyclable.

What can architecture do for a good workplace?

SCOPE Architects: It can bring people together and address individual needs in spatial functions. Spaces for communication, concentration, and collaboration should be designed according to their requirements and placed in a meaningful spatial context. The design process is different with this in mind: we design buildings and spaces that are intended to bring people together.

Which functions and/or spaces are the most important for you in a work environment?

Spaces that promote social interaction and community participation are central today. A workplace should address the social needs of employees and reflect current societal issues. Sustainability, social responsibility, and community are key factors in making offices attractive places that employees enjoy visiting. A social network is crucial to how successful we are.

Which materials do you recommend to your clients in construction or interior design?

We have long recommended the use of pure materials that can be easily reused according to the lifecycle of a building in line with the principles of the circular economy. These materials not only contribute to sustainability but also influence the way we design.