Baden-Württemberg's largest health insurer, AOK, is leading by example. Living up to its motto "healthy and close," the organization is championing a future-ready, employee-centric workplace—starting in-house. At its Ludwigsburg location, architecture and interior design firm blocher partners has created a 1,500 m² workspace prototype for AOK Baden-Württemberg, ingeniously housed in a converted warehouse. The vision: maximum creative freedom and complete spatial flexibility.

The design prioritized essential factors: room dimensions and climate control, natural light, acoustics, and ergonomic quality in every piece of office furniture. The goal was to foster a dynamic balance between collaboration, spontaneous exchange, and focused work—empowering employees to choose their workspace daily based on their needs. Interior architect Jürgen Gaiser captures the essence: "The Project House is a testing ground for tomorrow's working environment." The expansive glass façade immediately communicates this employee-first approach. Nature-inspired colors, materials, and details—verdant carpets, wooden wall treatments, cardboard tubes, and hanging greenery—create a biophilic environment that enhances wellbeing and drives productivity. Working with communications agency typenraum, the team developed an intuitive wayfinding system that guides users through the space organically. The layout organizes around project teams, offering a thoughtful mix of fixed workstations, open creative zones, and lounge areas. Meeting rooms adapt through flexible wall elements—shifting from confidential discussions to open workshops as needed. Dedicated "moving spaces" feature large, adjustable whiteboards for dynamic creative work. Between work sessions, colleagues gather in the open dining area to connect and recharge; fitness and movement spaces complete the wellness picture. For those seeking solitude, a lush indoor forest provides refuge. A custom-designed toolbox by blocher partners replaces the traditional briefcase, while lockers near the entrance complete the thoughtfully designed experience.

This approach is far from fixed—it's an evolving process shaped by the people who inhabit it. The AOK Project House will generate actionable insights, establishing a proven model for tomorrow's optimal workplace that can be scaled across future projects.

www.blocherpartners.com

Photography Credits:

Joachim Grothus
www.joachimgrothus.de

(Featured in CUBE Stuttgart 03|22)