All in One

Industrial Building

This is currently one of the most unusual workspaces in the community – the Staffbase Office project by Berlin architect Johanna Meyer-Grohbrügge. The reason for this is immediately apparent in the consistent utilisation of the hall space of a former spinning machine factory, which the commissioning MIB AG had transformed into its Chemnitz development quarter Wirkbau. The location is ideal for innovative tenants, tech start-ups, individualistic craftsmen as well as for art and club culture. The canteen, café, exhibition hall, a signal 60 metre high tower and a roof garden were already in place. Now 1,680 square metres have been added on the 3rd floor of a part of the building, developed into a location for the company Staffbase for 160 employees, professionals for internal communication in corporate design.

Contemporary Workflow

The location’s greatest architectural asset, the old industrial hall that once housed spinning machines, was redefined as the epitome of a shared production space, with a very basic understanding: no individual offices. The closed functions that are nevertheless necessary for a contemporary workflow – such as service areas and meeting rooms – were given lateral positions, which allowed the central space to be kept as large as possible. By dispensing with fixed workstations, a dynamic working environment was created, architecturally framed by the grid of pillars, beams and the linear lighting design of Regent Flow pendant luminaires. The height-adjustable plywood-look desks can be moved depending on the team formation or desired individual position. Grey felt panels provide sound insulation. The meeting rooms are dedicated to different work situations and themes and have been imaginatively designed to create stimulating spaces. Their titles refer to an ambient idea that is not to be taken entirely seriously: boring, industrial, nature, Hutzelstube or basketball. A colourful kitchen and a large locker room are also part of the logistics and supply of the Staffbase people.

What do you think are the key qualities of a good workplace?
Johanna Meyer-Grohbrügge: Light, natural ventilation and enough space.
Do you see any similarities in interior design for living and working?
Yes, ultimately both are about creating spaces for retreat and concentration, as well as spaces for communication, and relating these to each other.
Which material-related aspects do you consider to be the most important for the future development of workspaces?
I hope that there will be a development away from the need to constantly create new interior designs that are easy and cheap to build and are torn out again when the new tenant arrives, towards high-quality, long-lasting, identity-creating furnishings that can accommodate different users one after the other and respond to different mentalities and identities.