BRICKWALL WITH BALL PIT

Work tower

With the “QH Track” in Berlin’s Heidestrasse neighbourhood, Stuttgart-based SCOPE Architekten designed SAP’s new digital campus. For a remarkable 1,300 employees working on future topics such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and blockchain, 37,500 square metres on 13 floors had to be planned in a new building – a dimension that undoubtedly justifies the term “working world”. The designers placed the reception, an espresso bar and an adjoining event area in the two-storey foyer, whose seven-metre-high brick wall they interpreted as a connection between digital and physical space. It was created in collaboration with media artist Thorsten Bauer and Intermediate Engineering. An open campus culture was defined as the core motif of the overall concept, with an inspiring and networked working environment that promotes communication, collaboration and creativity. Stylistically, the interior concept responds to this in the form of industrial-looking elements, an innovative composition of materials as well as open ceilings and exposed concrete walls.

Cycle

The principle of the circular economy is intended to reduce the ecological footprint of the huge complex. To this end, the interior design utilises sustainable or reused materials such as wall coverings made from natural rubber, recycled Plexiglas, upcycled carpet tiles made from fishing nets and industrial yarns; the tabletops are made from textile waste. This was combined with intelligent lighting, energy-saving air conditioning and sustainable furniture. The standard equipment of a workplace consists of height-adjustable tables with monitor arms, height-adjustable and partially rollable tables were chosen for the active meeting rooms, cozy meeting rooms were given a lounge atmosphere, and colourful furniture types rich in form can be found in the special areas such as the work café or canteen. Even a large planning scope should not lead to a lack of solutions and ideas in the details. Accordingly, the interior planning also integrated art: installations in the communal areas and corridors promote an inspiring and varied workspace environment.

What do you consider to be the key qualities of a good workplace?
Scope Architects: The workplace should first and foremost fulfil the functional requirements of collaboration, concentration and communication, but the creation of identification and a sense of purpose should also take centre stage. From this, we derive the requirement for a unique and unmistakable design that reflects the individuality of the users. If we manage to create the greatest possible overlap between the identity of the company and the users (employees), the result is a design that does justice to both sides and is therefore successful.
Do you see any comparability in interior design for living and working?
Both typologies should be tailored to the respective users and require intensive dialogue with the people who will “inhabit” these spaces in the future. The social components and those focussed on encounters and communication are of great importance here. This importance will continue to increase in the office buildings of the future.
Which functional aspects do you consider to be the most important in the future development of workspaces?
For us, the social relevance of future office utilisation is at the forefront. The key to the success of office properties lies in their diversity of use. Keyword “society-centred architecture” – the next step after “user-centred architecture” and a response to the hyper-individualism of recent years and its consequences for our environment. It is time for a change of perspective – away from the individual and towards society. How can we create modern working environments in the future that remain attractive both internally and externally? Places that have a relevance beyond the workplace due to their diversity of use could offer an answer to this.