The connection with our imagination works particularly well in the case of the new workspace by Dewpoint Therapeutics in Dresden: 450 square meters for offices and an additional 1,950 for laboratories and other uses, spread across five floors plus a basement, where up to 80 people from international backgrounds work. The guiding vision becomes immediately apparent upon entering: it revolves around the motif of the tree as a symbol of community. Warm oak wood, textiles made of linen and wool, velvety matte metal surfaces, organic forms, a restrained, autumnal color-coded wayfinding system, and subtly coordinated lighting all contribute — both inspiring and calming. The ceiling design, featuring suspended veneer leaves made from various types of wood, creates a distinctive spatial atmosphere and enhances acoustics. At the center of the ground floor lies a sunken auditorium as a place of exchange, framed by a cafeteria, a tiered seating area, and an actual tree island. This working environment — equipped with high-tech infrastructure, integrated media technology, and highly specialized laboratory processes — offers a wide range of spatial settings: traditional cellular offices, transparent focus zones known as “Think Boxes,” and homely communication islands. It is organized through carefully directed sightlines and encourages a productive interplay between interaction and retreat. Laboratories and offices are deliberately interwoven, with glazing allowing visual connections without compromising necessary technical separations. A large conference area with a library, kitchen, and rooftop terrace on the top floor is also part of the holistic concept, continually offering new perspectives and small moments of experience. And to return to the guiding metaphor: a tree is, after all, a highly versatile biotope.
