This panel discussion gave festival visitors a rare opportunity to look behind the scenes of a transformation process. Lara Milerski, GIZ, and Monika Lepel, LEPEL & LEPEL Architects, first presented the key points of the redesign of the GIZ campus in Bonn and then discussed what worked well and where adjustments were needed.
The project, which started in 2018 with the redesign of one of the two buildings, focused on improving conditions for communication and collaboration, increasing flexibility of use and facilitating adaptation to future requirements. The planning and relocation were accompanied by an extensive participation process.
The move took place in early 2020, at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. The rapid digitalization of office work that followed led to a number of new requirements, in particular
• the integration of technology for hybrid meetings in communication and project spaces,
• the creation of retreat spaces for undisturbed participation in web conferences,
• the addition of a room booking tool.
The evaluation of the frequency of use revealed other interesting findings:
High tables or lounge chairs, designed as alternative workstations, were used almost exclusively for informal communication. Laptops were mainly used in the ergonomically designed work areas. Some teams had requested their own project areas for their home base. The common areas are mainly used. The facilities for short power naps are used far more often than expected. The fact that the areas could be easily adapted from the outset proved to be an advantage. Areas have been reallocated where it has proved useful. The lessons learned will be incorporated into the adaptation of the second building.
Further information and pictures of the GIZ Campus Bonn can be found in the IBA Forum Newsroom.
Photo: © IBA
