Over the past decade, Outletcity Metzingen has grown exponentially, establishing itself as a pioneer in omnichannel retail. Nearly 400 professionals collaborate daily to transform shopping into an unforgettable experience for over 4.5 million visitors worldwide—whether browsing online, on mobile, or in-store. When Holy AG and its subsidiary Outletcity GmbH recently merged to form Outletcity AG, the company faced a significant challenge: uniting staff scattered across multiple buildings into a single, cohesive workspace.

"One Roof" spans three buildings—from the historic weaving mill with its sawtooth roof to the modern raw construction—across two levels totaling approximately 4,200 m² of floor area. The challenge was to strategically interweave the distinct building volumes and levels while creating an intuitive spatial structure. The interior architects at blocher partners developed a sophisticated and contrasting design framework based on an open office concept. Here, the various departments unfold, arranged in a way that enables short communication paths and a high degree of collaboration. Each area is tailored to its specific workflow and requirements, whether through desk configuration, focus workstations, or meeting rooms. The organization comprises fourteen departments, each with diverse responsibilities, yet every team sees itself as part of the larger whole. Software and hardware experts work together here to continuously redefine the outlet business and deliver an extraordinary shopping experience to customers. Cross-departmental recurring elements such as kitchenettes and communication zones serve as part of the design framework, linking the departments together. An arcade passageway intuitively connects the two levels with one another.

Colors and materials reflect the historic heritage: the industrial aesthetic of the existing structure, rendered in dark tones, metal, wood, and chrome, stands in compelling contrast to warm materials such as oak wood, evident in the shelving units, tables, and seating cubes. Raw concrete and polished screed enter into an striking visual and tactile interplay with premium carpeting, furniture, and plants.

www.outletcity.com
www.blocherpartners.com

Photos:
blocher partners
Joachim Grothus
www.joachimgrothus.de

(Published in CUBE Stuttgart 02|24)