Come on let's work: PALMBERG

Some have compared it to a ship, others to a diamond - however, it could also be a UFO which has landed in the port of Antwerp. We are talking here about the new port building, which has been extended on the basis of the design of Zaha Hadid. At first sight it is the spectacular architecture and striking facade of the building which make an impact, but this impact is continued in the interior. At the request of the developer, the character of the external structure was reflected in the interior, while at the same time creating an open working atmosphere for employees there.

This is an impressive example of the aspects which are currently the main factors preoccupying office planners: on the one hand these are the requirements of those working there, and on the other the specific corporate profiles which are to be expressed in the design of the office. Planners are therefore working at the interface between architecture, design and corporate culture. For the manufacturers of office furniture this in turn means that they no longer operate simply as producers of products and systems, but also need to assume the role of consultants and offer customised solutions.

Whereas just a few years ago office design was still a niche market, it has now grown into a highly relevant sector. Many employers have realised that an improved climate in the workplace increases the satisfaction and motivation of their staff. A further factor is that the way we work has fundamentally changed – as a result partly of the shift from an industrial to a service-based society, and partly of the digital revolution, which has brought with it new tools and working methods.

In present-day office planning the demand is for flexible, modular systems combined with specially designed individual solutions and customised production. The port building in Antwerp mentioned above is an excellent example of this development. The company chosen to implement the project was the German firm of PALMBERG, which designed dynamic working areas with an open atmosphere, aimed at promoting teamwork and communication. In addition a range of special seating and standing solutions were developed, which adapt to the individual requirements of their users. As a reflection of the shell of the building, the table tops in part have a trapezoid shape, which creates a link to Hadid's architectural idiom.

For planners the design work therefore no longer stops at the threshold to the office door, but is not completed until it is rounded off by the design of the interior. This is demonstrated in particular if the architecture is also intended to represent a specific corporate culture. For example, the Coca-Cola Germany HQ in Berlin-Friedrichshain was planned by the architects Tchoban Voss as a transparent building with a sustainable energy concept. In line with the image of the brand, the aim was to create an innovative working environment for staff. Here, too, responsibility for the furnishing of the offices was entrusted to PALMBERG. Following the Coca-Cola approach, this was implemented with variable, ergonomic desk systems and versatile storage space options, which are characterised by functionality and a modern formal idiom.

But what do we actually know about the firm of PALMBERG? Major corporations are increasingly turning to this family company from Schönberg in Mecklenburg Western Pomerania. However, small and mid-sized companies, public authorities, educational and other institutions also often opt for PALMBERG with its premium-quality and sustainable office furniture solutions. For example, among its customers PALMBERG also numbers the piano manufacturers Steinway & Sons and the AXA insurance group, and the company furnished both the Interior Ministry of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia in Düsseldorf and the AIDA HQ in Rostock with its products.

In addition to desks, office cupboards, filing systems and reception area furniture, the company's product range also covers office kitchen systems and room dividers for visual and acoustic office optimisation. As part of today's open office structures the latter are highly relevant. However, as a meeting point and place of interaction the kitchen, too, is playing an increasingly important role in today's office with its amalgamation of working and private functions.

For a long time now a desk and a chair have no longer been sufficient for the furnishing of contemporary working environments. Creating an office again and again presents both planners and manufacturers with new challenges, which will continue to change in future with the ongoing transformation of the way we work. The people at PALMBERG seem to have realised this, and this is why we are sure that we will be hearing a lot more about this company, as well as seeing a great deal more of its products.

© Architonic