More space for the growing company, as well as a showroom and B2B seminar rooms for in-house training - this is what the Dutch fittings manufacturer Quooker wanted for its German headquarters in Korschenbroich. The new building was also to reflect the corporate culture based on employee satisfaction and loyalty. The architectural firm OttenArchitekten recommended for this purpose developed a company headquarters that combines administration, exhibition and warehouse in one building and gives the company canteen the highest priority.

The building, erected on the northern outskirts of Korschenbroich, forms a striking prelude at the entrance to the industrial estate. Situated directly on the feeder road to the highway, it is particularly visible - especially in the evening hours - thanks to its loosened façade, which meanders between transparent and closed areas. The relatively small plot of land on which both the warehouse and the office building were to be located proved to be a challenge during the planning phase. As the two functional units needed to be connected as quickly as possible on each floor, the architects opted for a structure that combines the two areas but presents itself as two separate buildings on the outside. The different heights and façade design emphasize this differentiation of the structure. A cost-conscious solution with fiber cement panels in horizontal formats and an anthracite tone was used for the façade cladding in the office area. Depending on the weather, the façade alternates between lighter and darker shades and, in combination with the dark aluminum windows, appears particularly light and lively. In contrast, isopanels were used for the warehouse façade, with roof and façade light strips providing the rooms with sufficient daylight. 

The light-flooded showroom on the first floor, which is completely transparent from the outside, is used to present the company's high-quality water systems. A particularly wide "show staircase" with display cabinets emphasizes the showcase character of the floor and at the same time creates an open connection to the two office floors above with additional training rooms. Finally, the canteen for employees on the top floor is connected to a spacious roof terrace, from which a panoramic view of the city opens up.

www.ottenarchitekten.de

Photos:

Frank Schoepgens
www.schoepgens.photos

(Published in CUBE Düsseldorf 03|23)