The office of renowned tax consultancy Streck Mack Schwedhelm needed to embody the firm's philosophy. Following the principle "Big & Beyond," the Cologne-based architecture and interior design studio Lepel & Lepel created a functional yet collaborative workspace—complete with shared secretarial pools, meeting zones, and quiet retreats. The result respects both employee needs and the demands of modern, agile work while authentically expressing the firm's core values.

Even the setting itself tells an uncommon story: nestled in Junkersdorf's "Stadtwaldsiedlung," the building is a former officers' club dating to the 1930s. Part of the historic Haelen barracks complex, it served the Belgian armed forces after World War II until 1996, when the site was decommissioned. The carefully preserved structures were subsequently protected as monuments and repurposed for residential and office use. In designing the office spaces, every decision honored the building's historical character—alterations were made thoughtfully, in close partnership with heritage authorities. The three core values of the tax firm—competence, strength, and imagination—became the design guiding lights, woven across all three floors to create a unified visual language. A rich parquet floor anchors the space, linking zones together while establishing an air of quiet confidence alongside the historic architecture. A striking blue horizon punctuates key areas, offering both visual prominence and wayfinding clarity. Paired with the bold geometric language of fixtures and furnishings, this creates a commanding presence rooted in the power of the signature itself. Rounding out this triadic vision is imagination—expressed through a light installation and mirrored ceiling elements. By dissolving spatial boundaries, these luminous touches spark creative thinking and inspire a vision that extends far beyond the walls.

www.lepel-lepel.de

Photography Credits:

Jens Kirchner
www.jens-kirchner.com

(Published in CUBE Cologne Bonn 04|23)