The owner-led media agency Crossmedia recently underwent a transformation on two fronts—a rebrand and a relocation. Since February, the company has operated as Unbound Media from its new headquarters on Hugo-Viehoff-Straße in Düsseldorf's north. The flagship building, "Hugo," is a striking 1909 structure that underwent a complete overhaul and expansion with several new structures. This renovation and expansion embodies the agency's philosophy: merging historical foundations with contemporary elements to build future-ready workspaces. Developed and completed over six years by Bochum-based Beilmann Architekten, the project delivers 2,556 m² of office space for 160 employees. Düsseldorf-based DSK Innenarchitektur shaped the diverse, flexible New Work environments.

Built in 1909 by Düsseldorf architects Richard Krekel and Heinrich Storck, this commanding four-story structure with its distinctive corner tower originally served as a factory. The Second World War left deep scars—subsequent decades saw it repurposed as an assembly hall, then a homeless shelter. The restoration project aimed to resurrect its original workshop character. Exposing the brick façade restored the building's robust industrial character, while new reinforced concrete floors—installed on all four levels and left raw—preserve a generous 4.5-meter ceiling height. To honor the structure's layered history, the upper third remains unplastered. Reclaimed wood flooring from salvaged farmhouses completes the aesthetic. All war-era window reductions were reversed or expanded: new transparent roof dormers and a dramatic six-meter panoramic window flood the interiors with daylight, while efficient aluminum-framed windows optimize energy performance.

A three-part sustainable system—ice storage heating and geothermal energy for climate control, plus photovoltaics for on-site power generation—cuts the building's energy consumption to just one-third of previous requirements, across all new and existing structures. The original floor plan remained largely intact, with two additional workshop buildings and a transparent connecting passage now framing the central landscaped courtyard. Every room, zone, and area was reimagined to foster an engaging work environment. Open-space areas across each floor offer flexible working arrangements in distinctly different layouts. Alongside dedicated "Workshops" and "Workshop Areas" (the agency's conference rooms), you'll find multiple multipurpose retreat and digital meeting rooms, plus lounge spaces scattered throughout the complex. The crowning feature sits on the ground floor: a generously proportioned dining hall with bar and kitchen becomes the agency's social heart, inviting staff and visitors to gather and connect—all framed by impressive views into the inner courtyard.

www.dsk-innenarchitektur.de
www.beilmannarchitekten.de
www.unbound-media.de

Photography:
Jan Ladwig
www.janladwig.com

(Featured in CUBE Düsseldorf 02|25)