Few buildings capture the industrial transformation of the late 19th century as powerfully as the power station built for the Rhenish Railway Company on Hansaallee in Oberkassel. Constructed in 1897 in the distinctive "Swiss style," this expansive complex originally comprised a boiler hall, machine house, and administrative wing. Following its period as artists' and photographers' studios, the building passed to private ownership in the 1990s, who engaged the prestigious Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron to undertake a comprehensive redesign. Under stringent heritage protection requirements, a meticulously crafted building complex with landscaped gardens emerged in the early 2000s. Fifteen years later, Atelier Gursky—occupying part of this converted space—sought to enhance and optimize their office environment.

Interior architect Marco Glashagen, commissioned for the project, conceived an entirely new office interior strategy while conducting a detailed operational analysis to maximize natural illumination. His design vocabulary—reflected in the custom desk-and-shelving ensemble—echoes the architecture's refined minimalist aesthetic. Every element serves multiple functions, fostering a focused, organized workspace. The solution seamlessly integrates diverse storage for photographic archives, publications, catalogs, and administrative work, discretely concealing files and equipment. Expansive glazed panels distribute generously proportioned natural light, infusing the space with both warmth and vitality. Working closely with heritage authorities, these interventions were respectfully woven into the historic façade. Thoughtfully positioned window recesses deepen the spatial perception. Through strategic deployment of the available volume, a completely renewed office has emerged—one that responds to contemporary work demands while creating an airy, light-suffused environment.

www.marcoglashagen.de

(Published in CUBE Düsseldorf 01|21)