Designing Workplaces Where People Thrive
An integrated design concept for collaborative and creative work
After three decades in Neuperlach, the established Wacker-Chemie company made a bold move to the vibrant heart of the Werksviertel district. Since 2024, the group's leadership has occupied a striking new building designed by Danish architects C.F. Møller. This five-storey structure features a subtly concave glass façade and is now home to what the company calls "Wacker House."
Sprawling across 10,000 m² and five floors, this office building accommodates approximately 600 employees and was purpose-built for modern, flexible work practices. The company enlisted Scope Architects—Stuttgart-based specialists in workplace design—to shape its interior architecture. Their vision crystallized around three core principles: "Connect – Collaborate – Create." The ground floor features a generous atrium anchored by a showroom that embodies the company's brand identity. A striking reception desk, crafted from polysilicon-based artificial stone (a Wacker product), signals the beginning of an elegant open staircase that ascends to the less public upper levels. This staircase transcends typical function—its sculptural form doubles as a viewing platform during foyer events. Beyond this threshold, the upper floors unveil the true working environment, where a work café sets an inspiring tone as employees begin their day.
The four upper floors each serve as departmental hubs—no file cabinets or paper stacks in sight. Instead, open spaces flow into think tanks and work lounges, complemented by essential workspaces: meeting rooms, conference areas, quiet phone booths, and flexible single offices. The second floor houses a Digital Hub and Update Lounge for sharing company news, while the fifth floor features an elegant Business Lounge for formal meetings and strategic conversations. The design language is refined without being rigid. A restrained palette of beige, brown, grey, and charcoal anchors the space, punctuated by inviting seating clusters, living plant installations, and thoughtfully positioned break areas with bar seating—a modern take on the traditional office kitchen. A sculptural spiral staircase weaving through all levels adds visual drama. And then there's "Meet and Eat"—calling it a cafeteria would be an understatement. This restaurant offers varied cuisine in an atmosphere designed for genuine relaxation. Every element, carefully orchestrated, creates a cohesive environment where work feels natural.
Photos:
Zooey Braun
www.zooeybraun.de
(Published in CUBE Munich 03|25)