Working surrounded by nature – that's the immediate impression when you step into Work Inn on Essen's Lindenallee. Housed on the second floor of the striking sandstone building designed by architect Peter Zindel (1898–1901), this coworking space launched in late 2019 with 780 m². The founders, who already operate several flexible workspaces across the Ruhr region, have now expanded the space to over 1,400 m² and opened the redesigned facility in June 2022. "We now occupy the entire floor with views overlooking the beautiful courtyard, which really completes the vision," explains co-owner Dörte Schabsky, who collaborated closely with Ruhrprojekt Planen & Einrichten to shape Work Inn's design.

Nature is unmistakably the central theme. The goal was to create a serene green sanctuary in the heart of the city—one that combines exceptional spatial quality with contemporary design and sustainable practices. This is a place where creative professionals can thrive, sharing the operators' commitment to environmental responsibility. Warm wood-toned flooring transports you to a forest one moment, then opens onto a meadow the next. In the seminar room, moss imagery on the carpet seems to reclaim space once lost to paving stones. Floor-to-ceiling forest photography wallpapers serve both as stunning backdrops and room identifiers: the "Deer" seminar room, "Wolf" meeting room, and "Owl" podcast space. Thoughtfully placed greenery flows throughout—emerald sofas, armchairs, and seat cubes here; chairs with green upholstery there. Living plants and moss wall installations complete the organic aesthetic.

The eastern wing features primarily private offices and lounge areas, while the western wing opens onto generous coworking zones and meeting rooms. Glass partitions maintain the sense of openness while acoustic panels manage sound levels. Sustainability shaped every furnishing decision—from materials sourced regionally to partner companies selected for their environmental practices. LED lighting runs entirely on renewable energy, with sustainable flooring and furniture throughout. Even the cleaning service carries ZNU sustainability certification. The thoughtful touches continue with dedicated bike parking and a shower facility available to all users.

www.workinn.de
www.ruhrprojekt.net

Photography Credits:

Anke Sundermeier
www.ankesundermeier.de

(Published in CUBE Ruhrgebiet 03|22)