Telling the Company Story
Identity-Driven Office Design for a Reinforced Concrete Specialist
How do you design the headquarters of a leading reinforced concrete company so that functionality and materiality authentically express the organization's identity? This was the challenge architect Adina Zimmermann tackled when commissioned for this distinctive project. Following the building's expansion, the newly created rooftop space presented an open, glazed canvas. To establish clear spatial logic and intuitive workflows, Zimmermann designed a central storage element rotated 45 degrees—a move that zones the space, maximizes storage capacity, and organizes natural circulation patterns. Accessible from both sides, this sculptural furniture piece does more than connect different functional areas; it opens onto the roof terrace and creates a seamless transition toward a future extension. Folding sliding wall systems emerge as the project's defining design gestures, functioning simultaneously as spatial dividers and architectural statements. "In the executive office, I integrated a spiral-shaped folding wall system that reveals a spectacular moment," Zimmermann explains. "When opened, it unveils two striking golden whisky refrigerators, dramatized by warm, indirect lighting." Material selection became a deliberate expression of corporate identity. The flooring features tiles whose pebbled surface echoes polished concrete, while the central storage element is clad in raw-welded reinforced concrete mats. Yet to craft a warm, inviting work environment, Zimmermann introduced deliberate contrasts: plush carpeting and forest green velvet-wrapped folding systems bring residential elegance that tempers the industrial rawness of the materials. This dialogue between rough and refined elements transcends aesthetics—it embodies the company's philosophy while transforming the office into an inspiring workplace. The result speaks volumes: spaces that transcend their functional purpose to narrate stories and spark emotion. Architecture as identity made tangible.
Photography:
BKfotofilm
www.bkfotofilm.de
(Published in CUBE Frankfurt 01|25)