j. mayer h. pairs a striking concrete exterior with flexible wooden furniture for this office building in eastern germany. designed for IGZ, the new construction marks part of a greater masterplan for the software company’s falkenberg campus.
images by david franck
erected at the highest point of the site, the long, rectilinear volume reaches over 394ft (120m) in length. the building is planned as a skeleton structure of reinforced concrete. all load-bearing and bracing components are made of wood and exposed concrete, creating a visual blueprint for IGZ’s company headquarters. the partition walls and built-in furniture are non-load-bearing and made entirely of wood and glass. composed of various elements, the construction creates a light and warm atmosphere while remaining highly flexible to future alterations.
innovative construction engineering techniques ensure a holistic approach to the building concept. priority was given to providing a regenerative energy supply using geothermal energy and photovoltaic systems. the building relies on a passive temperature control method that is integrated into the reinforced concrete ceilings. heating and cooling is regulated by the building’s concrete core temperature control system. the energy required for this is sustainably generated through a total of 60 geothermal piles, each 328ft (100m) deep.
j. mayer h. developed the building’s interior design concept in close collaboration with the client. steelcase was the main partner for the design of workstation furnishings. the loft-like work landscape, composed of exposed concrete and wood was furnished with steelcase’s‘flex’collection, designed to allow teams to make their space more flexible. the furniture is equipped with wheels, making it adaptable to various, changing forms of individual and group work. flex complements the overall geometry of the building’s structure with its diagonal elements and clear-cut design.
the design language is communicated through large-scale wooden fixtures in the foyer and other areas, and reflected further in the rounded shapes of the movable desk-walls and mobile whiteboards. the choice of haptic, matte black surfaces, furthermore matches the wood and concrete elements present throughout the building. steelcase collaborated with kvadrat, using their high-quality fabrics to produce a new range of seating areas and desk chairs. viccarbe’s soft seat products were used for communal areas.
the project was completed in autumn 2020 and forms part of regional efforts to increase employment opportunities in rural areas. the new IGZ building makes clear that construction work in rural areas is not only reserved for agriculture, tourism or local recreation. instead, in this age of‘new work’, the new headquarters of‘IGZ-the SAP engineers’, allows them to strengthen their local ties and reaffirm their presence as an innovative and responsible employer in the region. thanks to the flexibility of the interior furnishings and the building’s geometry, the inner layout can easily be adapted for COVID-19 related workplace changes and requirements, such as accommodating for hygiene regulations and ensuring the safe distancing of employees.
project info:
project name: IGZ campus falkenberg
location: falkenberg, germany
architect: j. mayer h. and partners
year: 2020
photography: david franck
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edited by: lynne myers | designboom
