For over 90 years, the family-owned company Albrecht Zwick in Hagen has been welding, drawing, profiling, and distributing stainless steel products worldwide. The warehouse typically holds more than 10,000 tonnes of steel, manufactured and stored in existing facilities on the northern portion of the property. To design the new administrative headquarters, the company partnered with Schmahl + Gerigk Architects. Their challenge was clear: create a striking building that respects the site's prominent access point while strategically positioning the structure to preserve potential expansion space for storage facilities to the south.

The original access road was retained and extended to become the site's primary circulation spine. This spine now connects new parking areas for trucks and cars, providing seamless access to both the existing northern facilities and future southern expansion zones. On the northeast section of the property, the new administrative building rises prominently along Bandstahlstraße—instantly recognizable as the gateway to the compound and a bold statement of the company's forward-thinking vision. The façade is wrapped in prefabricated fiber cement panels, their stone-like yet soft tactile quality creating a distinctly authentic and expressive character. Expansive floor-to-ceiling glass surfaces flood the interior with light and openness, allowing staff to work in a bright, welcoming environment with views of the landscaping and the entire property. A footbridge aligned with the "green island" leads directly to the two-storey glazed entrance, crowned with a dramatic cantilevered canopy.

The 1,400 m² interior required thoughtful, flexible layouts. Interior designer Beatrix Kraft of Iserlohn crafted a concept balancing collaborative co-working zones with private offices. The generous foyer showcases a striking modern lighting installation. The open-plan workspace, individual offices, meeting rooms, and support areas share a cohesive aesthetic—unified by consistent color palettes and furnishings that create a harmonious whole.

www.schmahl-und-gerigk.de
www.innenarchitektur-kraft.de

Photos:
Moritz Gerigk

(From CUBE Ruhrgebiet 03|21)