How should we work? What matters most to us? For the 40-person team at Team Simon—a craft business—these questions became urgent when moving into their new building, complete with exhibition spaces for tiles, parquet, ceramics, and natural stone. Their answers took spatial form through designer Alexa Schraverus of designraum, who developed a two-floor spatial concept that's both precisely conceived and collaborative. Across surprisingly generous open areas, bold color palettes, playful details, swings, and lounge zones, the layout invites connection and creative thinking. Different zones encourage employees to interact naturally during their work day, and simply shifting location offers fresh perspectives—a proven approach to solving problems creatively.

The design's foundation was a deceptively simple goal: enable everyone to interact with everyone else throughout the workday. This extends to the owner, who deliberately works alongside employees with laptop in hand, remaining accessible and present. To keep the center of each floor open for community spaces, Schraverus placed individual workstations along the perimeter. This created natural gathering spaces in the heart of each 600-m² floor—generous kitchens with large communal tables where the team prepares and shares meals daily. A platform of maritime pine hosts the meeting room, its recycled packaging-material panels executed with precision carpentry and mitred steps that double as informal seating. Throughout the space, nooks of varying sizes accommodate spontaneous team huddles. Even the restroom vestibule is so welcoming it often serves as a quiet phone booth.

Beneath the vibrant palette and seemingly impromptu scatter of colorful chairs and seating, each zone is strategically organized with instantly recognizable purpose. Work areas—defined by black chairs, desks, and storage—deliberately contrast with the warmer, more colorful community and retreat spaces. True to the hall's industrial character, Schraverus selected authentic, no-fuss materials: exposed concrete, polished screed, maritime pine, steel, and straightforward textiles and finishes.

www.schraverus-innenarchitektur.de

Photography Credits:

Daniel Böth

(Published in CUBE Frankfurt 03|23)