Few buildings still bear such vivid witness to the industrial transformation of the late 19th century as the power station built for the Rheinische Bahngesellschaft on Hansaallee in Oberkassel. The former, spacious building complex, consisting of a boiler hall, engine house and a head building with offices and supply wing, was built in 1897 in the so-called "Swiss style". After interim use as studios for photographers and artists, the building was sold to a private group of owners in the 1990s, who were able to persuade the renowned Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron to carry out the extensive redesign. After the turn of the millennium, an elaborately designed building complex with a garden area was created under very detailed conditions imposed by the monument authority. 15 years later, Atelier Gursky, which uses part of the converted building, wanted to optimize its existing office space.

The commissioned Düsseldorf interior designer Marco Glashagen developed a new concept for the office interior and - following a detailed usage analysis - also optimized the natural lighting of the room. The reduced, elegantly minimalist style of the architecture and room sequence was reflected in the design of the fixtures and fittings and the custom-made ensemble of desk and wall shelving. The furniture is also multifunctional and meets the requirements of a concentrated, orderly working environment. For specific activities such as working on photographic archives, exploring publications and catalogs as well as administrative writing and research work, a variety of integrated storage space has been created in which computers, folders and publications can be kept out of sight. The carefully planned and generously dimensioned incidence of natural light through large-format glass panels creates a working atmosphere that is both warm and stimulating. These were harmoniously integrated into the historic façade in close consultation with the heritage authorities. Window recesses were created inside the room, creating an additional depth effect. By making optimum use of the sequence of rooms, a completely new situation has been created that takes account of current work requirements and creates a light-flooded, spacious working environment.

www.marcoglashagen.de

(Published in CUBE Düsseldorf 01|21)