Better Than Home Office
Contrasts Spark Creativity in a Media Agency with Refined Interiors
For the second time, design agency Undplus has been commissioned to outfit the new headquarters of media agency Intermate. The new spaces are located in a sprawling pre-war apartment building in Charlottenburg. The design concept is built on contrasts—old and new—and the interplay between "conventional and unconventional." The oversized apartment, characteristic of the grand bourgeois residences from the turn of the century, complete with herringbone parquet and ornamental stucco ceilings and more than 24 rooms, has been transformed into a modern work environment. Undplus created a blend of open, collaborative spaces and traditional individual work areas, offering employees diverse options for how they work. The focus is on collective work, communication, and interaction. The meeting spaces reflect the evolving nature of work culture and the shift away from the traditional single workstation. At the same time, a high density of meeting rooms and phone booths ensures the needs of digital collaboration and remote communication are met.
Across more than 800 m² of thoughtfully renovated period space, Undplus has played with materials and moments to create something genuinely distinctive. Beyond the numerous custom-designed meeting rooms, quiet retreats, and focus areas, the offices feature a welcoming reception, two kitchens, a relaxed living room, and a bar—each room with its own considered color palette and character. The bar and adjacent living room anchor the space, functioning as the social and collaborative heart of the office. Meeting and focus rooms shift in purpose throughout the day, adapting to different types of work. The supporting spaces—quiet zones and shared kitchens—ensure employees always have the right environment for their needs. What sets the interiors apart is this thoughtful differentiation: one moment you're in a green-focused room, the next in a violet and yellow composition, then back to classic warm browns in the bar. It's contemporary design meets authentic period charm. The furnishings are an intentional blend of existing pieces and new acquisitions, with bespoke elements like the custom reception desk and bar adding layers of personality and warmth. The outcome speaks for itself: a workplace where people genuinely want to be—one that embraces both solitary focus and genuine collaboration, making the return from home office not just necessary, but desirable.
Photos:
Yves Sucksdorff
www.sucksdorff.de
(Published in CUBE Berlin 02|24)
