VIS-À-VIS

Centre

Two things come together at this location: On the one hand, Marienplatz is the centre of Munich, directly opposite the historic city hall of the metropolis with its decorative tower, the carillon and the square in front of it, which is usually teeming with people. On the other hand, it is a place characterised by tradition, where a magnificent, typical business and town house once stood. Exactly the right location for a notary’s office, whose demanding legal field of activity, however, did not yet have an adequate architectural ambience due to the post-war building and its floors, some of which were only poorly lit due to the deep inner-city plot. Oliv Architekten therefore paid particular attention to the precise planning of the lighting during the conversion, which was completed in August 2022. Rooms and materials are illuminated in a controlled manner, independent of daylight, creating an inviting and pleasant atmosphere – valuable for the twenty employees as well as for the clients they receive every day.

Structure

The result of the redesign of the three upper floors is impressive: closed walls have been replaced with open communication zones, glass partitions allow daylight and views into the important central zones. On the one hand, these provide access from the staircase and lift core of the building to the floors, while on the other hand they take on secondary functions such as reception, waiting area and kitchenette. The offices are arranged on the square and courtyard sides so that almost all workstations have direct access to daylight and windows. Stylistic elements such as the herringbone parquet flooring, which conveys a historical atmosphere, as well as an overarching colour concept and harmoniously integrated furnishings support the calm and friendly overall character.

What do you think are the key qualities of a good workplace?
Michaela Schulte: Nowadays, there are many facets to office work. Accordingly, it is of the utmost importance to create spaces that differ from the traditional ones and instead help to inspire and motivate employees. After all, it should be an environment that employees identify with. It is inevitable that workplaces are constantly changing and are no longer designed in a traditional way. There is a constant endeavour to create new spaces. When creating an inspiring and stimulating environment, attention should always be paid to the four types of work flow: Concentration, Collaboration, Learning and Socialising.
Do you see any similarities in interior design for living and working?
Absolutely, as traditional office structures are being dissolved. There is an increasing tendency towards flexibility, agility and reaction, independent of fixed workplaces. At the same time, the well-being of employees is becoming increasingly important. Well-being that is felt at home is increasingly being integrated into everyday working life. This is happening in particular through interior design. There are interfaces between living and working, but clear boundaries need to be defined so that both worlds can (co-)exist on their own.
Which material-related aspects do you consider to be the most important for the future development of workspaces?                                                                                                                                                                            Materials that are suitable for both recycling and sustainability in the context of building in existing buildings instead of wasting existing resources. When selecting and specifying new materials, it is extremely important to pay attention to quality and durability. Explicitly in relation to workspaces, for example, different haptics that not only offer individuality but can also act as an acoustic medium play an important role.