Steam not cooled: The third life of an old factory building from the perspective of office environme

Steam not cooled: The third life of an old factory building from the perspective of office environment design

Address: Karlsruhe, Germany
Area: 3000 square meters
Keywords: office environment design, co working, historical construction, ABW working mode, hybrid mode, bio friendly design, collaborative communication, flexible diversity, focus and collaboration, graphic design
In the depths of the streets and alleys of Karlsruhe, an old industrial building remained silent for many years. The brick walls are covered with moss marks from time, the steel frame rusts with memories of brown red, and the high ceiling echoes with the neighing of a steam carpenter's workshop. Until one day, the key turned and light poured in - this place was given a scorching name: SteamWork.

The heartbeat of the future in historical construction
3000 square meters. Numbers are calm, but space is hot. The design team of baurmann. durr Architekten is facing not only an office environment design, but also a dialogue that spans time. How to make a building born for the steam age breathe the air of the digital age?

SteamWork "- the name itself is a manifesto. It does not avoid history, but instead embraces that steampunk like past; At the same time, it implies a never-ending passion for work. Here, exposed brick walls do not need to be covered with plaster, huge metal brackets do not require decoration, and ancient wooden beams are the best ceiling art. Historical construction is not a backdrop, but the first narrator of space.

The growth logic of mixed mode
The users of space are diverse: independent creators, start-up teams, large corporations seeking temporary bases, and even free individuals who simply need a "feel good" corner to complete their work. How can such a complex ecology coexist?

The answer lies in the wisdom of ABW's Activity Based Working approach. There is no fixed workstation hegemony, only the option of on-demand mobility. In a flexible and diverse layout, you will see:

Free workstations are scattered like islands, suitable for efficient static work

The communication island rises on an open surface, promoting accidental collisions

Acoustic cubicles serve as "indoor rooms" and provide dedicated shelters

An independent office unit ensures the team's private domain

Three floors, three personalities. But they all follow the same logic: focus and collaboration are not opposing multiple-choice questions, but states that can be switched at any time. You can curl up with a notebook on the sofa under the century old wooden beam and contemplate, then step into the glass conference room for brainstorming the next moment.

Breathing sensation designed by biological organisms
In the rough industrial skeleton, there grows a gentle thread of life. The biophilic design is not only reflected in the green space in the courtyard where outdoor work can be done, but also permeates the details: the warmth of the wood blends with the coldness of the metal, the jumping green plants break the seriousness of the concrete, and natural light pours down from the high windows, moving the scales of time on the stone floor.

Especially the large courtyard with a terrace - it is no longer the remaining space of the building, but the lung of the space. Here, the boundary between work and rest is blurred, and collaborative communication may occur amidst the aroma of coffee. An important breakthrough in inspiration may come from a moment of emptiness when looking up at the sky.

Declaration of Personality in Graphic Design
If there are expressions in space, then graphic design is its expression. The wall is not a monotonous background, but an extension of emotions: bold graffiti tells the modern legend of Karlsruhe, color blocks jump in the line of sight like musical beats, and the guidance system is both clear and interesting. These visual languages silently declare: here creativity is welcomed, individuality is respected, and rigid workplace dogma is rejected.

The vitality of the "hall" and overflow workbench
GoodSpace's ambition extends beyond workstations. The multi-functional "hall" that can accommodate 200 people is ready to transform into a speech hall, exhibition hall, or celebration space at any time; The 'Influence Studio' provides incubation corners for urban initiatives; Unpackaged shops and on-site dining allow daily needs to avoid leaving this building.

As the operator stated, 'SteamWork' is also a place to savor life and experience beauty. Our concept is not only focused on work, but also on people and the environment. ”

Philosophy of Work in the Steam Age
Ultimately, SteamWork presents a hybrid office philosophy. It does not believe in extreme openness, nor does it advocate closed isolation. It seeks a balance between the weight of history and the lightness of the future, builds bridges between individual focus and team collaboration, and weaves dialogue between industrial heritage and digital needs.

Modular office elements can be reorganized according to demand, but the load-bearing walls remain strong as before; The work style is agile and varied, but the spiritual anchor of architecture remains unchanged. This may be the inspiration for future office environment design: true innovation is not about erasing the past, but about allowing old bones to grow new muscles; True co working is not simply about gathering crowds, but about creating an ecosystem that allows different rhythms to resonate harmoniously.

The steam engine has long cooled down, but the energy symbolized by steam has never left. In this old factory building, a new working civilization is gently rising with the steam of the coffee machine.