IT’S A HORSE’S WORLD

impressive architecture

The architectural appearance of the Lagarde1 digital start-up centre on a conversion site in Bamberg is undoubtedly impressive. Originally a cavalry barracks, a striking tower rising above the pistol-shaped ground plan of the elongated complex now signals a new use that provides a place for current work tasks and processes. GOIA Goehring Innenarchitektur was responsible for the interior design, in which 785 square metres of office space was to be developed on a total area of 2,200 square metres – for start-ups and founders with a focus on IT and technology. A total of 20 office spaces between 25 and 60 square metres are on offer, as well as flexible co-working spaces that can be used with a daily, weekly or monthly pass, multifunctional meeting rooms and an event space that can accommodate up to 150 people.

ecology meets social standards

It was important to the planners that the products selected for this working environment – everything could be realised within the limited budget – meet high ecological and social standards and that the furniture can be used sustainably due to its durability. The colour and material concept applies to the entire building: the primary colours are beige and anthracite or black, with the red tone of the historic brick walls and the two corporate colours of Largarde1 – white and blue – acting as accent colours. Steel and wood refer to the former horse boxes, the materiality of the built-in furniture and equipment elements is reminiscent of saddles and horse blankets, while the maritime pine conveys a modest “start-up aesthetic”. The lighting was also designed holistically and with the atmosphere of the room in mind. Individual lights act as “statement pieces”, such as the custom-made wall light or the life-size “Horse Lamp” by Moooi. The environmentally sensitive conversion by Lagarde1 is also complemented by a photovoltaic system and an ice energy storage system to optimise the air conditioning of the premises. One could almost assume that if the former four-legged inhabitants of the complex were interested in a digital world, they would also feel at home there with a few small additions.

What do you think are the key qualities of a good workplace?
Ursula Karoline Goehring: Ergonomics, flexibility and appealing aesthetics. Because an appealing and inspiring working environment can increase the well-being, motivation and productivity of users. A workplace is not just the area between the office swivel chair and the desk. Work can be done anywhere, which is why the design of the workplace should encompass more areas than just those specified in the workplace guidelines. The qualities of a good workspace are always related to the activities of the users. In our office, we therefore always communicate with the users at the beginning of a project in order to analyse their activities and then develop the plans according to their needs.
Do you see any similarities in interior design for living and working?
Yes, definitely. Both living and working areas require careful planning in order to create a pleasant and functional environment. Aspects such as lighting, colour selection and furniture arrangement play a decisive role in both areas. Ergonomic and aesthetically pleasing design is just as important in workspaces as it is in living spaces to promote productivity and well-being. In addition, open-plan layouts and flexible workspaces are becoming increasingly popular, blurring the line between living and working.
Which material-related aspects do you consider to be the most important for the future development of workspaces?
The use of environmentally friendly materials and their resource-saving manufacturing process are essential in order to minimise the ecological footprint. The reuse of materials should also be normalised on the market. In this context, I also see the use of changeable materials that can adapt to constantly changing work requirements as crucial. In addition, the materials used should continue to enable the integration of constantly advancing technology in order to avoid the recurring replacement of equipment – in ever shorter periods of time – due to outdated technology.