Reduce, reuse, recycle
A paper manufacturer in Benrath demonstrates how sustainable reuse shapes modern office design
When Hakle GmbH was rebranded as the family-owned Jung Papier, the company relocated to a new office space in a business park in Düsseldorf's Benrath district. Architect Karen Jung, who also oversees procurement for the hygiene paper company, transformed the vision of flexible, open-yet-enclosed workspaces into a thoughtful office design. The concept embraces sustainable reuse and creative reimagining of the existing office furnishings.
The guiding principle was straightforward: create a workspace where teams can collaborate openly while others can focus in more private settings. All of this would be accomplished economically, making full use of the existing furniture stock—a choice rooted in both sustainability and pragmatism. Two significant obstacles emerged during planning. First, the tight timeline: only nine months separated the initial concept from the move. Second, the building itself presented a patchwork of conditions—some areas were already finished, while others remained at the structural shell stage. To establish a welcoming presence, the entry and lounge areas were finished with fine porcelain stoneware. The open-plan and individual offices received durable needle felt flooring, chosen for its acoustic and climate-control benefits. Every cabinet, sideboard, filing unit, desk frame, conference table, seating, and steel-tube system furniture was restored with new surfaces and enclosures—thoughtfully supplemented with select new pieces where needed. The old desktop surfaces found new life as wall panels in the workshop area, also housed within the business park. Existing light fixtures were largely retained and complemented with new fittings from matching product lines. The result: a refreshed workspace, achieved with restraint and intention, that embodies Jung Papier's commitment to sustainable business practices.
Photography:
Rolland Altfater
(Published in CUBE Düsseldorf 02|24)
