WORKSPACE WITH COMPASS

Dynamic

The competence centre of Fritz Manke GmbH in Hilden has 213 square metres on two floors and benefits from an intimate and individually designed floor plan. Equipped with a front terrace area where you can sit down on comfortable outdoor furniture or a blue beer bench in sunny weather or on balmy evenings, it is somewhat reminiscent of a detached house. This undoubtedly benefits the redesign that kplus konzept realised for the company’s new, state-of-the-art seminar experience house – aligned with its CI and values. The project included rooms for various event formats, seminars, company meetings, product presentations and co-working appointments. The working modes were to be characterised by dynamic interaction within the team and promote active solution processes.

Surfaces

A variety of tactile natural materials were used to create a stimulating working environment, while transparent stores create islands of light and colour. Seminar work is understood as a creative break with successful work results. Each room has been given an individually themed character. In the entrance and living room, an integrated video display welcomes the arriving groups individually, while a signposting system helps them find their way around the seminar centre. A colourful eat-in kitchen with a long table adjoins, which functions as a meeting and event area. The largest and most flexible conference room, the “Workspace”, is characterised by the corporate colour blue. It has a stage for moderators, panel discussions, group work or product presentations. The petrol-coloured “Talkspace” with integrated multi wall invites intensive discussions in small groups. A hand-painted compass on the ceiling symbolises the aim of the seminar: orientation and a happy arrival. For more meditative moments, you can then retreat to one of the soft poufs in the “focus box”. Even spiritual harmony is catered for there: yoga mats are included.

What do you consider to be the key qualities of a good workplace?
Bettina Kratz (kplus konzept): For us, the focus is on creating a harmonious space with a high emotional feel-good quality. Compliance with standards such as excellent lighting or a pleasant room climate are a matter of course today. In addition, the environment must match the work. For example, HR workstations where discreet discussions are held do not belong in an open-plan office. Creative teams, on the other hand, benefit from lively dialogue in an open, communicative atmosphere. Our most important concern is that the workplace feels good and has a motivating and inspiring effect.
Do you see any similarities in interior design for living and working?
The dimensions of work and living are increasingly merging. Work takes place at the kitchen table and the relaxing sofa is in the office. It is important that it seems natural to switch dynamically between the two dimensions. To achieve this, our rooms need an open interpretation that takes both aspects into account. It is therefore important to us to combine elements from both worlds in the interior design to create a coherent overall concept. People resonate with the spatial effect and should draw the best possible energy from it.
Which functional aspects do you consider to be the most important in the future development of workspaces?
The future workspace is a highly efficient multifunctional space. We need cross-over spaces without static functionality. It is also desirable that the technical aspect that is visible today fades into the background. I always have a tangle of cables in my luggage in search of connections. In the future, I would like to be able to enter a workspace with my laptop and mobile phone and charge wirelessly anywhere. Beyond functionality, healthy, resource-saving materials will play an indispensable role in the good feeling at the workplace in the future.