Kinzo Architekten has reimagined the Berlin offices of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. The project saw the studio transforming three floors of the Kollhoff Tower at Potsdamer Platz into a workspace that blends sophistication with residential comfort.
Kinzo Architekten's design approach deviates from traditional corporate aesthetics, instead embracing the warmth and character of a New York-style apartment. By prioritizing communal spaces over hierarchical office structures, the layout fosters collaboration, with former executive corner offices repurposed into inviting meeting lounges and cafeterias. Additionally, the integration of a 'hotelling concept' — where employees reserve well-appointed, acoustically optimized workspaces — reflects evolving trends in flexible, activity-based working
The project revitalizes 2,860 square meters of previously worn-out office space, aligning it with modern workplace demands while preserving the architectural integrity of Hans Kollhoff’s 1990s tower, which draws inspiration from classic Manhattan skyscrapers.
Image Credit: Kinzo Architekten
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Residential-inspired Office Design
- Emulating the comfort and style of New York apartments, office interiors are shifting from corporate rigidity to homely warmth and sophistication.
- Hotelling Office Concepts
- Flexible workspace reservations are becoming popular, allowing employees to choose acoustically optimized environments suited to their tasks, reflecting the shift towards activity-based working.
- Collaborative Space Transformation
- Traditional executive offices are being transformed into communal meeting lounges, prioritizing collaboration and connection over hierarchical structures.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Interior Design
- The interior design industry is experiencing a surge in demand for residential-style office transformations, merging comfort with functionality.
- Commercial Real Estate
- Commercial real estate is adapting to new trends by refurbishing outdated office spaces to meet modern collaborative and flexible work needs.
- Office Furniture Manufacturing
- Manufacturers in the office furniture sector are innovating to produce acoustically optimized and flexible furnishings that support new hotelling concepts.
