After two and a half years of renovation, the Mercedes-Benz Autohaus Wackenhut presents itself in a completely new dimension at its Baden-Baden location. For the first floor of the administration building, Barbara Benz developed a new furnishing concept together with Peter Hauber, head of the architare location in Nagold, and Katharina Schott, head of the architare store in Stuttgart. The aim was to harmonize the tradition and values of Mercedes Benz and Wackenhut with a modern flexible working atmosphere. Barbara Benz tells us in an interview how the concept succeeded.
Mercedes-Benz car dealership Wackenhut a feel-good oasis for customers and employees
Ms Benz, you furnished the entire first floor of the administration building at the Wackenhut site in Baden-Baden. What was generally the biggest challenge or the biggest opportunity?
Barbara Benz:
The challenge was to furnish an existing building in an innovative and modern way. The concept had to harmonize the tradition and values of Mercedes-Benz and Wackenhut with the demands of a modern flexible working atmosphere. We worked hand in hand with the owner Ernst-Jürgen Wackenhut to implement the furnishing concept. Like us, Mr. Wackenhut is convinced of the great effect that rooms have on us and believes that the office, where we spend a large part of our lives, consciously or unconsciously influences our decisions.
If you don't pay attention to the furniture or the quality of the coffee machine, it signals indifference, in his opinion. But it is precisely the details that credibly convey the values of a company.
CONCEPTS FROM ARCHITARE TAKE A COMPANY'S CI AND ITS SPECIAL FEATURES INTO MIND.
This corresponds to architare's claim not to deliver a standardised feel-good atmosphere, but to "curate" spaces - even if it goes right down to the vase. How did you implement this project at Wackenhut?
Concepts by architare take into account the CI of a company and its special features. The furnishing of the newly designed floor for Wackenhut is not only characterised by furniture whose quality harmonises appropriately with the automobiles but It also makes repeated references to the Baden-Baden location. Dark fir green, sunny orange, bright sky blue and warm brown bring the colours of the neighbouring Black Forest into the rooms. The materials also reflect the regional ties. Traditional wooden shingles, for example, have been suggested on some of the walls.
Let's briefly go through the individual rooms starting with the Hüppi Lounge. What distinguishes this Vip Lounge in particular?
The Hüppi Lounge is characterised by an elegant, but at the same time very cosy atmosphere. Warm colours and natural materials such as wood and leather ensure this. The reference to the Black Forest is shown here by a modern installation by Thaddäus Hüppi. The artist and sculptor mounted a Black Forest cuckoo clock on a painted car windscreen and populated it with colourful figures.
What criteria was important to you for the staff offices?
It is very important to Mr. Wackenhut that his employees are appreciated. The back office should be just as representative as the salesroom. The staff offices are therefore furnished with high-quality furniture. And to keep the employees healthy, they work at sit-stand tables that give their backs a bit of a change.
The desk chairs by Vitra are a special detail. They are upholstered in different coloured fabrics.
Yes, that's right. The idea behind this is that every employee can choose their own personal favourite chair.
And what about in the meeting rooms? How do you create a good working atmosphere?
The furnishing of the meeting rooms is far from a cool office atmosphere. Our aim was to create a feel-good ambience that appeals to the senses. This is achieved by using materials such as wood, leather and fabrics that have a nice feel. But the harmonious shapes of the "Lox" shell chairs by Walter Knoll and the rounded tabletops also contribute a lot to the pleasant atmosphere of the rooms.
MANAGEMENT OFFICES SHOULD NOT BE AN EXPRESSION OF HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURES WITHIN THE COMPANY.
You also furnished the management offices. What did you place particular emphasis on
The management offices should not be an expression of hierarchical structures within the company. On the contrary. Mr. Wackenhut is concerned about the appreciation of his employees.
Therefore, he wanted the same value in his office as in the offices of his employees. So no oversized room, no ostentation, no dark wall paneling. Instead, understatement.
How do you achieve this balance between understatement on the one hand and an elegant atmosphere that shows appreciation for the customers on the other?
With a working environment characterised by generosity as well as elegant furniture such as the "Kyo" shell chair by Walter Knoll and high-quality materials such as walnut and leather. The representative elegance of this interior welcomes guests and customers. The design transparency expresses openness to the outside.
EVERY EMPLOYEE CAN CHOOSE HIS OR HER OWN PERSONAL FAVORITE CHAIR.
