The coronavirus pandemic's arrival was hardly ideal timing for launching a new venture. Yet in March 2020, Netzwerk Berlin took shape with the lease of a substantial space at Südkreuz. The roughly 700 m² facility was initially outfitted with existing trade show and exhibition furnishings before undergoing a complete redesign in February of this year. Assmann, a company specializing in furniture systems for contemporary workspaces, serves as the main tenant. Building on the success of Netzwerk Hamburg, which launched in 2017, Assmann has partnered with nine other companies to create "Netzwerk Berlin für innovative Raumlösungen" – a collaborative platform for innovative spatial design.

With such a diverse range of partners, the scope of design inspiration on display is equally expansive. From workstations and lounges to meeting spaces and quiet zones, cafeterias, collaborative areas, and project spaces—the network showcases contemporary design approaches and products across the board. "Much like our solutions, our audience is quite diverse," explains Roger Pfers, Sales Manager North at Assmann, noting that builders and tenants, architects, consultants, specialty retailers, and contract furnishers all find valuable resources here. Key partners include Bolon and Interface, both specialists in flooring solutions. Bolon presents vinyl floor coverings that blend art, fashion, and architecture through woven design, while Interface features textile, elastic, and CO₂-neutral flooring options. For ceiling and wall solutions, procedes i-d and Troldtekt are go-to partners. The Danish manufacturer Troldtekt offers natural acoustic solutions crafted from wood and cement, while procedes i-d provides design elements with sound-absorbing and insulating properties. Gerriets and Silent Gliss lead the way in acoustics and window treatments. Silent Gliss has established itself as a global leader in premium interior privacy and sun protection systems, whereas Gerriets specializes in flexible room partitioning through acoustic curtains. Seeking glass or modular partition walls? Holger Kirchhoff delivers, with options ranging from straightforward glass partitions to comprehensive systems featuring superior sound dampening. Lighting deserves equal prominence in spatial design—and Artemide, one of the world's foremost manufacturers of designer lighting and architectural illumination, ensures that aspect is expertly covered. The final touch? Decorative artwork, expertly handled by Bildermann, the network's partner for conceptualizing, developing, and implementing professional visual communications for spaces.

www.das-netzwerk-berlin.de

(Published in CUBE Berlin 02|21)