The new building in Rauental will not only be a modern office building, but also a lively meeting place.

The new building will be a sign of innovative strength, future viability and strong cooperation at Vorwerk. That is why more than 100 colleagues have met for user workshops on behalf of their departments. Who would know better what their future working environment should look like than them? Where are quiet workstations needed? Where are communal spaces that promote exchange, creativity and inspiration the right choice? The answers to these and other questions will be incorporated into the planning and construction process.

“We have transferred Vorwerk’s DNA into our interior design concept.”

Daniela Bruder, Building Designer and Head of Interior Design at lechner+hayn

A building is much more than just a few walls with windows and doors. Architecture has an intense effect on people. Seven questions for the workplace expert Caroline Ohnmacht about current trends and the workplace of the future.

1. What influence does architecture have on people?

A very big influence! On the one hand, it is all about individual well-being and incentives for creativity, inspiration, exchange and efficiency. On the other hand, it is about socializing and the question of how companies succeed in making buildings more energy-efficient and healthier according to ESG criteria. These are used to define a company’s sustainability-related areas of responsibility, namely Environment, Social and Governance.

2. A tight roof and a stable internet connection are apparently not enough for a modern working environment?

No, something more is needed. Our credo is: We build from the inside out. In other words, we put people at the center. When we develop a new working environment, we take a close look at the needs of the users and the functionality of the space. Workplace design is developed on this basis. Here, the boundaries between living and working are increasingly blurring. Hybrid forms of work are creating opportunities for retreat and communal spaces with a homely atmosphere in offices. After all, even if an engineer has different requirements for his or her workplace than a salesperson, both must find an environment that allows them to exchange ideas about products and innovations.

3. Keyword: hybrid forms of work. How has architecture changed, what influence do megatrends such as digitalization and sustainability have?

These trends have a major influence, and they are interrelated. Only a few years ago, office design was limited to the choice of furniture and its arrangement in the room – mostly open-plan offices and small individual offices. Now, however, many employees want a mix of office presence and working from home. The pandemic has shown that it is also possible to work productively from home. At the same time, many companies have recognized that physical presence is important for effective communication and innovation. They are investing more in communication areas and at the same time taking the opportunity to reduce office space. As a result, they are reducing their ecological footprint and operating costs.

4. Which three aspects characterize modern working environments in particular?

I don’t have to think about that for long:

1. Flexibility: This means a room must be adaptable to different scenarios and the equipment must be configurable.

2. Remote: the infrastructure must seamlessly integrate remote employees into the office routine. Encounter is essential.

3. Smart Building: Hybrid working makes space utilization difficult to predict. It therefore makes sense to invest in smart buildings. Their usage data helps to act in an energy-efficient manner and can make everyday life much easier.

5. Vorwerk builds premium appliances and innovative strength is an important driver of success. How can architecture create space for creative thinking?

There is no single answer to this question. As I already mentioned, the first step must be to engage with people and their needs. The design of office space reflects the culture and values of a company – just as a home expresses a person’s personality. Colors, materials, furniture typologies and lighting are crucial to creating a pleasant atmosphere and a balance between opportunities for concentration, communication and meetings.

6. What does this mean for “plain” industrial buildings that are more about efficiency, concentration and safety?

These values can be implemented just as attractively in a workplace concept as inspiration and creativity. The same applies here: you have to know people’s needs and goals in order to design an appropriate working environment. Architecture offers a thousand possibilities for this.

7. What will the workplace of the future look like?

Whether existing buildings or new buildings, the topic of sustainability will gain importance, regardless of whether it is about energy-efficient systems and sustainable materials, ergonomic and barrier-free workplaces or open office structures and the promotion of collaboration. And hybrid working is here to stay. However, employees will always need a place where they can exchange ideas and live the company culture. I believe that many exciting ideas and completely new spatial concepts will develop over the next few years.

Solar panels, vegetated roofs and other green spaces to promote biodiversity: we meet recognized sustainability standards with these and other measures. We are aiming for gold certification from the German Sustainable Building Council for planning and construction.