Spanning 28,000 square metres across twelve floors on Berlin's EUREF Campus in Schöneberg, the new DB Gasometer represents Deutsche Bahn's vision for the future of work. Where a telescopic gas tank once rose and fell to indicate fill levels, a striking modern structure now stands. Yet the architects deliberately preserved the iconic steel framework of the former gas storage facility, allowing it to frame the new circular building and honour the site's industrial heritage. The brilliance of this project extends far beyond the striking architecture—it's equally evident in the innovative office concept within. What emerged is a forward-thinking workspace with a true campus feel, the result of seamless collaboration between DB's project team under DB Real Estate's overall direction, design specialists at ASSMANN, and trade partner Gohs.

Engagement and Communication: The Foundation for Success
The new circular structure creates an open environment explicitly designed for collaborative work. Activity-based working takes centre stage—particularly for Deutsche Bahn's digital divisions, which have now consolidated here after previously operating from scattered Berlin locations. Over 2,000 employees now share this space, fostering cross-departmental collaboration alongside research and development. To ensure the workplace truly supports both function and inspiration, the company invested heavily in employee input. Through extensive workshops, staff shaped their own working environment, contributing ideas and requirements that directly influenced the final design. The result is a thoughtfully conceived office concept that transcends basic functionality—it actively nurtures creativity, teamwork, and employee wellbeing.

An Innovative Space Layout for Connected Working
This modern workplace seamlessly blends flexible zones with a smart spatial design that enables collaborative work in an inspiring setting. Co-working areas and shared spaces naturally draw people together, while quiet zones provide refuge for focused work and recharge time. The top floor showcases contemporary event and conference facilities with panoramic Berlin views—the perfect backdrop for workshops, meetings, and creative brainstorming.

Purposeful Zones: A Space for Every Task
The DB Gasometer was intentionally designed to foster community and inspiration. In an era of remote work and distributed teams, the office has evolved into something vital—a central hub where people genuinely want to gather. The rotunda accommodates everything from collaborative brainstorming to focused individual work to private conversations—every task finds its ideal setting. The modular design reinforces activity-based working, adapting fluidly to user needs. The spatial layout organises into four distinct zones:

Networking: Welcoming spaces for arrivals, orientation, and connection.
Screen Work: Flexible stations for focused tasks—solo or team-based.
Exchange: Dedicated areas for formal and informal dialogue, creative development.
Concentration: Quiet retreats to support focus and restoration.

This diversity serves a dual purpose: it delivers practical functionality while creating genuine appeal. Every floor features all four zones, so employees instantly find exactly what they need. The organised structure keeps everything in its place, while the open layout encourages natural interaction. By embedding multiple working modes throughout the space, Deutsche Bahn actively brings the New Work philosophy to life. The workplace flexibility allows people to choose different locations daily—though no one feels obligated to. This freedom unleashes creativity and boosts individual performance.

Where Atmosphere Meets Purpose
Working with architecture firm Kinzo, the team developed a defining element: a carefully curated colour and material palette that enables every employee to feel at home and reach their potential. Light wood paired with warm, inviting materials creates an organic environment and welcoming atmosphere that naturally encourages relaxation. Earthy tones gain vitality through strategic colour accents that reference the building's identity. The palette tells a story: soft blue evokes the Berlin sky and boundless horizons, while rust-orange details echo the historic steel framework in its original state. Freestanding pieces maintain consistent colouring, allowing them to move fluidly between spaces and floors while harmonising with the overall design language. The same collaborative spirit extended to furniture and material selections. ASSMANN and retail partner Gohs remained actively engaged with Deutsche Bahn's team, guiding decisions across the full range of solutions. The ASSMANN showroom in Berlin proved invaluable—by allowing people to touch, test, and experience products firsthand, decisions became intuitive rather than abstract.

The New Workspace, by ASSMANN
At DB Gasometer, furniture becomes architecture—integral to crafting an inspiring, flexible environment where people feel genuinely at home. Home zones provide comfortable arrival points and secure personal storage. Allvia lockers and Cubas storage modules deliver ample space for everything the workday requires. Vibrant seating—bold blues, luminous oranges, soft creams—energises communal areas and relaxation zones with inviting character. From the soft seating collection come cosy Consento Livorno armchairs, Como loungers (ideal for rejuvenating power naps), and sophisticated Cremona sofas that beckon people to stay and connect. Design essentials like Pesaro coffee tables offer practical surfaces for laptops, cups, and documents while seamlessly integrating into the whole. Height-adjustable, collapsible Pontis Hypa tables—for writing, seminars, and dining—adapt instantly for workshops and meetings, with battery operation ensuring maximum spatial freedom. Flexible Syneo Part partitions structure rooms while doubling as flipcharts or whiteboards. Movable Syneo Part stools and Consento seating modules support spontaneous gatherings and organic team expansion, sparking informal exchange. Meeting rooms feature tall Solos conference tables and Torino bar stools—designed for dynamic discussions whether seated or standing. Workstations prioritised ergonomics with electrically height-adjustable Sympas desks, enabling staff to customise their posture throughout the day. This curated collection does more than support comfort—it actively enables productivity and creative thinking. The outcome speaks for itself: DB Gasometer transcends the traditional office. It's a dynamic hub of collaboration and innovation in Berlin's heart, where thoughtful design and human need converge.

Rethinking Workspace Sharing The 28,000-square-metre space divides thoughtfully: roughly 60% communication zones, 30% workstations, with the remainder dedicated to networking and support services. For Alexander Walter, DB Real Estate's project lead, the traditional question—"How many desks?"—no longer applies. The focus has shifted from fixed furniture to diverse working opportunities. Every seat becomes a potential workspace—that's the paradigm shift. This sharing model transcends simple desk rotation. Spaces and resources—including media technology—are pooled strategically, fostering collaboration and breaking down silos. The open design encourages serendipitous encounters and idea exchange across departments. Critical to this success: genuine participation from everyone involved in planning. The concept has proven itself repeatedly, and the consensus is clear: DB Gasometer represents a vibrant new working culture where collaboration and creativity flourish naturally.

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