Schoeller SI Office, Germany

With the new office for Scholler SI in Reutlingen, Ippolito Fleitz Group shows that such places can also be homey: Warm colours, an exciting materials mix and a natural look define this two-storey office. It not only creates a pleasant working atmosphere, but also reflects the values of an innovative project developer, whose core business is not just commercial, but above all residential real estate.

The clarity of the architecture is continued in the interior – but becomes quite literally more multi-faceted: Tinted glass partition walls, pale curtains, linear storage units and fringed carpets zone the different areas, giving the space a rhythm that is characterised by overlays, reflections, transparency, but also by density. Accordingly, both open-plan and more intimate sections, as well as different work situations can arise: from the classic workbench and large shared tables, to lounge situations and alcove retreats. As a free interpretation of the slogan “Your office is where you are!, employees can decide which informal constellation best supplements their fixed workstation, supporting them in (internal) communication and thus helping them perform their daily tasks.

Despite these divisions, the space remains fluid and flows smoothly around the central access core. To transform this closed centre into a lively focal point, its design was deliberately exciting: Bold colours alternate dynamically with different materials and textures; shelves, picture rails and pinboards activate the area; integrated seating is arena-like, forming a lively meeting spot for smaller or larger teams. The space strikes the perfect balance between a collegial work environment and warmth or cosiness, without turning it into your living room at home.

The fact that employees feel so comfortable and welcome here has a lot to do with excellent room acoustics and a pleasant interior climate – supported by the lush green planting in the space. It is also thanks to a superior depth of detail, which is expressed in the precise choice of materials and furniture, as well as in the lighting scheme, which combines natural light, ceiling lights and bespoke desk lighting. Both these things ensure that the up to 48 workstations are used by people who understand their place of work as a landscape of values, endowing them with a sense of belonging and a purpose for their actions.

It ultimately also has a lot to do with the fact that the team was involved in designing the space: workshops with representatives from all three departments (real estate, administration, renewables) helped determine the table constellations, workplace-proximate exchange and meeting options, as well as the three colour worlds. The latter vary in tone depending on the field of work, and form a visual unit with carpet, ceiling and a wall section in the hallway. In this way, employees – at their own workstation, in the direct team area or the office as a whole – are taken on a visual journey where they can create individual connections, discover new things time and time again, make the space their own bit by bit, and identify with it properly.