IBA editorial team Schmid Baugruppe has expanded its existing office building at its Frankenburg site in Upper Austria into a working environment certified to the klimaaktiv GOLD building standard. The extension combines a hybrid construction method of reinforced concrete and timber with activity-based spaces, ergonomic workstations, and flexible meeting and training areas developed in collaboration with Bene.
Rethinking the location rather than simply expanding it
Schmid Baugruppe combines traditional craftsmanship with a forward-looking approach to planning, construction and circular-economy principles. As a total contractor, the company supports building projects across their entire lifecycle, from development to demolition and material recycling. Against this backdrop, the company’s own office premises also came under scrutiny. Although the existing building, constructed in 2000, offered a solid structural basis, it no longer met growing requirements for communication, flexibility and sustainability. In 2023, Schmid Baugruppe therefore opted not merely for an extension, but for a qualitative shift towards a new working environment. The site was expanded with a hybrid structure combining a reinforced-concrete skeleton frame and timber construction. At the same time, the existing building was refurbished and extended upwards. In 2024, the office received klimaaktiv GOLD certification with 932 out of 1,000 possible points. The modernisation thus aimed not only to increase floor space, but to create a sustainable and future-ready workplace.
A vision: Activity-based, ergonomic and identity-defining spaces
At the heart of the project was the question of how a construction group operates when consultancy, planning, project management, execution and service are all housed under one roof. The spectrum ranges from focused project work and interdisciplinary coordination to training sessions and client meetings. The new working environment therefore needed to provide zones for concentrated tasks, areas for spontaneous exchange and informal interaction, as well as meeting and training rooms for different group sizes. At the same time, it was intended to visibly reflect Schmid Baugruppe’s identity as an innovative, sustainability-driven construction company. Ergonomics and health were also central considerations: alternating working postures, flexible workstations and acoustic and visual screening were defined objectives. Equally important were spatial quality and design ambition – creating an environment that expresses the company’s forward-looking ethos.
Planning: Office structure and furnishings as a cohesive whole
Schmid Baugruppe commissioned Bene GmbH with workplace planning. The approach focused on the interplay between the architectural framework, the functional spatial concept and appropriate furnishings. In addition to traditional work areas, central zones, meeting rooms, training areas and executive offices were newly conceived and coordinated. Spaces were organised to ensure short circulation routes, support teamwork and provide retreat areas. Modular elements enable adaptability: layouts and furnishings can evolve with changing team sizes or working models without fundamentally altering the underlying spatial structure.
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Central zones: Spaces for exchange
The central zones between work areas play a key role. Lounge settings function as islands for short conversations, spontaneous project coordination or informal meetings. Their modular geometry allows adaptation to different spatial proportions and establishes clearly defined communal areas within the floor plan. In design terms, these zones provide a softer counterpoint to the technically oriented tasks of a construction company. Upholstered surfaces, varied heights and integrated storage and work elements make these areas focal points of daily office life and social connectors between teams and departments.
Workstations: Ergonomics as a core component
Workstations are equipped with electrically height-adjustable desks to support alternating between sitting and standing. This responds to the growing emphasis on varied working postures as a contribution to health and performance. Visual and acoustic separation is achieved through side-mounted panels. These elements structure the workspace without fully enclosing it. They create individual work areas, support concentration and contribute to a calm overall atmosphere, while still allowing communication within teams, a key factor in project-based construction workflows.
Meeting and training areas: Flexibility at the forefront
Meeting rooms were designed as multifunctional spaces capable of accommodating both smaller groups and larger teams. Modular tables allow rapid reconfiguration for workshops or formal meetings. The layout ensures clear sightlines and supports hybrid working through appropriate technical infrastructure. Training rooms are furnished with stackable cantilever chairs that remain comfortable even during extended sessions while maintaining flexibility of use. These spaces host internal training, client meetings and knowledge-sharing formats, reinforcing the objective of embedding qualification and continuous learning into everyday work.
Sustainability: klimaaktiv GOLD as a lived commitment
The structural expansion is closely linked to the company’s sustainability strategy. The hybrid construction, efficient building envelope, renewable heat supply, ventilation system with heat recovery and photovoltaic installation all contributed to achieving klimaaktiv GOLD certification. With 932 out of 1,000 possible points, the building meets high standards in the categories of site, energy and supply, materials and construction, and comfort and health. For Schmid Baugruppe, which pursues resource-efficient construction and lifecycle thinking in its projects, the office becomes a visible expression of its own principles. Sustainability applies not only on construction sites but also within its own working environment.
Conclusion: A workplace that aligns working methods and corporate identity
Through the refurbishment and extension of its headquarters, Schmid Baugruppe has created a working environment that combines robust structural foundations with flexible usage scenarios. Transparent work areas, ergonomic desks, central zones for exchange and adaptable meeting and training spaces support a wide range of activities under one roof. At the same time, the site reflects the company’s commitment to sustainable construction and lifecycle-oriented project delivery, making its values tangible and visible.
About Schmid Baugruppe
Schmid Baugruppe is an Austrian family-owned group and total contractor that has been delivering construction projects in the industrial, commercial, public and residential sectors since 1901. The group operates as a general contractor and brings together various subsidiaries, including Schmid Holzbau GmbH (timber construction), Filzmaier Dach Fassade GmbH (roofing and façade systems) and Industrial Floor (industrial flooring), under the umbrella of Schmid Baugruppe Holding GmbH. More information: https://www.schmid-baugruppe.at/
About Bene
The international office specialist focuses on the design and furnishing of modern office and work environments. Bene defines the office as a living space and puts this vision into practice through its concepts, products and services. The globally active Bene Group is headquartered and manufactures in Waidhofen an der Ybbs, Austria. Development, design and production, as well as consulting and sales, are united under one Austrian roof. As a key market player in Europe, Bene stands for innovative concepts, inspiring office furniture and workspaces, and high design quality. The company develops and produces tailor-made solutions for organisations of all sizes – from sole traders and SMEs to globally operating corporations. More information: https://bene.com/de
Photo:s ©Bene, Daniel Hawelka
