Splendid atmospheres

The project for the Deutsche Telekom headquarters in Bonn demonstrates the importance of good design for the quality of working environments and for the general well-being of the people who use these spaces in their daily lives. The aim of the project was to provide a wide range of facilities for employees, one of which is the company canteen. Envisioned as the heart of the complex, it is both an emotional and functional space where colours, materials, surfaces and textures intertwine harmoniously in a continuous dialogue enhanced by colourful light effects. According to the German practice Keggenhoff Partner commissioned to design the new interiors, “the architectural project is like a bespoke suit, designed and tailor-made with creativity and sensitivity”. The work carried out by the team of architects included general remodelling and restyling of the interiors of the headquarters.
The dining area consisting of a canteen and cafeteria serves as the central hub of the complex, a contemporary meeting and leisure space characterised by the use of different materials and colours. In the canteen, different surfaces are used to distinguish the eating area from the space set aside for food preparation and distribution. In particular, wood parquet is used in the seating area to create a sense of warmth and domestic intimacy, whereas the food preparation area is dominated by the delicate tones of ceramic panels produced by the company Laminam. Stone-effect porcelain is also used on the semi-circular shaped counter, on the worktops and on the walls. The Pietra di Savoia Grigia Bocciardata finish from the I Naturali collection evokes the texture and colour of the prestigious eponymous stone while delivering the outstanding technical performance needed for a space that is exposed to high levels of stress.
The space is semi-circular in shape with the food distribution area at its centre. Great emphasis was also given to the visual line running between the two canteen entrances, which are positioned opposite each other but connected by an open walkway illuminated by a row of spotlights. The false ceiling reflects the floor plan, with flat black-coloured sections for the connecting spaces and three-dimensional ceilings for the sitting and eating areas.
The spectacular double-height space stands out for its sinuous shapes, three-dimensional surfaces covered with wooden slats and metal tubes and its dramatic lighting. The surfaces and different-height volumes intersect and stratify to generate a sense of dynamism, an uninterrupted flow of movement that continuously creates an element of surprise. The hall is not just an ideal dining area but also the perfect place for meeting and conversations after work.