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The number of employees at our German headquarters in Berlin is growing. To make the best possible use of the available office space, and to facilitate better collaboration between disciplines, our multidisciplinary team of experts for workplace strategies developed and implemented a new office concept. This new, attractive environment encourages employees to work more creatively and more efficiently.
Involving the employees in the planning process
We involved our employees in the planning and implementation process early on to ensure that the new working environment fits the wide variety of requirements and needs. Various forums for the exchange of ideas – including interdisciplinary working groups – facilitated the transition from a previously static space to cooperative working environments that are designed for diverse activities and working processes.
Activity-based working environment
The office has been designed with several areas: A creative lab for inspiration, spaces with different levels of formality and intimacy for workshops, presentations and meetings, and modern workstations as well as glass think tanks for focused working. Our employees no longer have dedicated desks. Instead, they move between areas with different atmospheres and can choose the most suitable space, tailored to their activity. Permanent team areas serve as anchor points and provide orientation. Laptops and digital technologies such as video conferencing and Skype telephony are key to enabling this kind of flexibility.
The OvaLounge as a creative centre for communication
The reception area is designed as a spacious and light-flooded lounge area with a living wall, a café and various wood and fabric elements. This multifunctional room offers space for informal meetings, presentations and events, giving guests the opportunity to experience our corporate culture.
“We encourage and challenge the creativity of our employees with a variety of working areas tailored to their respective activities. In this way we support the interdisciplinary exchange and facilitate the optimal use of all competences through a holistic design of the spaces. ”
Lena Raizberg Associate Director
Implementation in different phases
The new workplace concept was implemented in phases over a period of twelve months, all without interrupting our ongoing operations. This “evolutionary change process” has had a positive effect on our employees’ acceptance of the change. The gradual process also allowed us to make iterative changes, taking onboard real-time feedback from our most important asset: our staff.
