Allianz Global Digital Factory

Allianz SE, together with interior architects and designers from CSMM with D‘NA and UNStudio, launched a journey into the world of digitised work which was future-orientated and unique in the distinctiveness of its features.

A suitable location to lend this project a dynamic urban context was found in the area of Werk3, inside the Werksviertel at Munich Ostbahnhof. The self-appointed task was to create a unique work environment in whose fertile grounds innovation, creativity and the impetus to create solutions and designs can unfold intensively. During ‘Customer Journeys‘ product ideas and results will be developed that will accompany Allianz into the future. The idea emerged quickly to create a spatial journey on which diverse places and situations are located to reflect the idea.

The main concept rests on the development of communicative, highly-flexible open areas moving towards more quiet zones for focused working, research and furthermore recreation. The well-being of staff was also of high importance to the concept. Therefore a pre-check by CSMM for certification by DGNB – the German Sustainable Building Council was implemented.

Innovative, digital but with a warm charm: For the “customer journeys” Allianz wanted a working environment which is highly flexible. Creative and concentrated work, and “town halls” which work across teams – everything has to be multi-functional. We are happy to be winner of the German Design Award 2018.

A design was created here for an office which resembles a converted factory loft, but reflects the innovative power of the digital age: A round trip through the Factory starts at the Market Place, a large free space Community Space and simultaneously a base for shared knowledge. It is surrounded by flexible furniture, write-on walls and retreats for spontaneous small-group discussions.

An arena-seating staircase invites all participants to pitch and discuss their concepts on a large mobile monitor with integrated live streaming option. Adjacent in the Kitchen team on-boarding take place at a long table, which can also be converted into group units. Within Caves face-to-face communication is enhanced, in the round tube experiencing a feeling of shelter.

The arena steps lead up to the 5th floor and the Team Space level, furnished in a completely flexible way, so that the alternating Journey Teams will shape their environment according to their needs. There are ‘Gallery and Bench Seating‘ and a ‘Swing Table‘. Moving Meeting Tree Houses invite people to work in small teams of up to 4 people. They can also be configured to form a ‘camp fire‘ pitch.

The outside write-on walls of the houses are magnetic and can be pinned to. From the galleries, you have a fantastic view over the Park – a peaceful, spacious recreation zone like forest clearing. The Industry Initiative spreads over two stories offering seven meeting rooms. Through the Tunnel we arrive back at the Market Place.

CSMM – architecture matters: Sven Bietau, Anna Gnizdiukh, Kerstin Littel, Sabrina Menke and Hannah Winklmann
D‘NA: Dina Andersen
UNStudio