Regional ties characterize the IT provider NetCologne IT Services and this should also be reflected in the new space. The interior design firm if5 design, which was awarded the contract, took up the corporate culture and corporate design and created a working environment that focuses on community, communication and collaborative working methods.

The predominant cellular structure of the existing building gives way to open and spacious areas with different spatial qualities and retreat options. The corporate identity is reflected in the design of the open office spaces through a strong contrast between light and dark, which is further accentuated with colored lighting elements. A neon lettering and a graphic, each of which quotes one of Cologne's "Veedels", create a regional reference in the room systems. At the same time, an LED light strip connects the individual zones with each other. The changing light colors blue and red indicate whether a room system is currently occupied or freely accessible. The zones for collaborative and agile working methods, in which the colors red and blue from the company's corporate design once again feature prominently, are set apart from the office areas. Incorporated as an inlay in the flooring, the Rhine flows through the project areas. This creates a stimulating, lively atmosphere for spontaneous meetings, workshops or coordination. The rooms can accommodate different group sizes and requirements and can be adapted quickly and easily.

In the open areas, large ceiling baffle panels made of felt and recycled marine plastic, together with wood wool panels as wall coverings, provide sufficient acoustically effective absorption surfaces. In the set room systems, this function is performed by floor-to-ceiling acoustic pictures, which in turn emphasize the regional reference in their graphic design. In order to do justice to contemporary working methods, numerous walls and the backs of the room systems were designed to be writable and wipeable. The previously suspended grid ceiling in the central corridor was completely removed. The installations installed there are deliberately exposed to create transparency and space. The result is a varied and exciting space that inspires the whole team.

www.if5-design.de

Photos:

Andreas Rudolph
www.rudolphfotografie.de

(Published in CUBE Cologne Bonn 03|21)