Founded in 1898 by 23 Protestant citizens and workers, Mülheimer Wohnungsbau eG (MWB) emerged during a time when decent, affordable housing was scarce in large cities. Built on principles of solidarity, the cooperative quickly grew. Though MWB has evolved into a diversified real estate services company over the decades, those founding values remain central to who they are today. When the company relocated to Friedrich-Ebert-Straße 39 in Mülheim in mid-2019, interior designer Georg Müller and his M.I.A. team faced an exciting challenge: transforming the new premises into an inspiring, contemporary workspace for roughly 100 employees while creating a welcoming gateway for this customer-focused organization.

The new building complex spans nearly 5,350 m² across six floors. Beyond designing functional office and meeting spaces, the team needed to craft a striking ground-floor foyer and accommodate the Mülheim neighborhood association. The result is striking from the moment you walk through the door. The expansive entrance showcases an organically shaped reception desk in warm, inviting colors—immediately orienting visitors to their destination. A thoughtfully curated exhibition area flows seamlessly alongside it, while the neighborhood association finds its home here too, embodying the collaborative spirit the organization champions.

Throughout the building, the careful interplay of materials, form, and color establishes a fresh, enduring aesthetic. Creating a genuinely pleasant work environment meant prioritizing acoustic design and lighting that adapts to the variety of work happening daily. This required rigorous spatial analysis upfront—informed by data and user needs—ensuring every room serves its purpose beautifully. The design also embraces modern work culture. Staff offices aren't confined to fixed layouts; instead, they encourage flexible arrangements with ergonomic workstations and integrated meeting tables, adapting to how people actually work.

Each floor features varied meeting rooms that blur the line between collaboration and retreat. With their warm furnishings and thoughtful color palettes, these spaces work equally well as dynamic hubs for teamwork or quiet zones for focus and reflection.

www.mia-live.de

Photography Credits:

Stefanie Heuing

(Featured in CUBE Ruhrgebiet 04|20)