Joseph Rädlinger head office | Berschneider + Berschneider

The newly built head office of the Joseph Rädlinger construction company can be found in the old merchant town of Cham, in Bavaria, surrounded by mysterious forests and lush, green meadows. By merging the office complex with the neighbouring building, the old Windischberg monastery, a highly functional and inspiring workplace has been created with all mod cons that provides employees of this family-run company with an exceptional sense of wellbeing. The aim was to create a harmonious architectural ensemble, preserving the natural character of the former monastery and incorporating its charm into the design of the new office space. The two buildings stand side by side as equals, showcasing the very best aspects of the New Work concept: open, light-flooded office spaces offer divine views of the picturesque surroundings. A gym that includes a yoga room is the perfect antidote to desk work, while open-plan kitchenettes and meeting islands encourage staff to interact and swap ideas. In addition to openness and a vision for new ideas, environmental responsibility is also enshrined within the company’s philosophy. Sustainability, one of the company’s priorities, was also a key focus during this project. All of the materials used in the build are ecological and durable, with the architects from Berschneider + Berschneider opting for many of Thonet’s timeless, made-to-last pieces in their plans for furnishing the monastery, conference rooms and offices. Thonet furniture makes a significant contribution to the sense of wellbeing that the space provides.

The focal point of the former monastery is the dining hall furnished with the famous 214 and 214 M coffee house chairs. These 84 chairs, stained black, are style icons and lend a note of understated elegance to the sacred hall. They create a striking contrast with the light-colour parquet floor and dramatic light fixture suspended from the ceiling. The space is accented with four 233 M bentwood armchairs in a vivid shade of coral red.

After-work drinks? The timeless 204 MH stools from Thonet encourage people to gather for a chat at the bar. They also match the colour scheme of the drinks area, in the former monastery building, with its upmarket, Mediterranean feel: the black-stained beech wood and gold foot ring create a look that is both natural and glamorous.

Classic bentwood for quiet contemplation In the bright meeting room with its clean lines, the organically shaped chairs of the 209 and 209 M series are in symbiosis with the arched windows, which offer an idyllic view of the meadows and forests of Upper Bavaria. This is the perfect retreat for anyone with complex work to do in a small team.

Functional elegance in the individual offices The open-feel office spaces are flooded with natural light and have been ideally designed for the future of work. The architects have focused on individuality, colour and design classics, choosing, for example, Thonet’s classic tubular steel desk, the S 285 designed by Marcel Breuer, with walnut elements. This desk represents a piece of contemporary history and is flanked by matching B 97 side tables. Its ample storage space and generous proportions mean plenty room for office supplies. In another individual office, two S 43 cantilever chairs provided for visitors set colourful accents.

Cantilevered meetings Meetings at Rädlinger benefit from the use of comfortable and timeless S 64 V cantilever chairs. The airy canework lends the chairs a light look, making them an ideal fit for the various conference rooms in the building, all of which are bright and welcoming.