With our goal of creating a progressive, healthy workspace for our approx. 500 employees, modern and environmentally friendly office concepts, a ‘green’ campus, climbing wall, organic canteen and much more were incorporated so that the brand values of VAUDE, a sustainable, innovative outdoor outfitter, can be experienced at the company premises.
The entire reconstruction took place in accordance with the strictest environmental criteria. The result is a "Green Building" with DGNB Silver Certification, in which all aspects of sustainable building are realized, such as ecological building materials and a maximally energy-efficient building structure.
More on VAUDE's Silver certification and DGNB evaluation system
After the launch of the major renovation in November 2012, the company premises were completely remodeled and refurbished concurrent with normal operations over two phases of construction and a period of nearly three years.
The conversion cost EUR 7 million and introduced 3,000 m2 of extra office space.
Untreated wood, flooding light and open design concepts characterize the new working spaces that are tailored to the needs of employees. The results: modern open-plan offices with many private spaces, meeting rooms, communication areas and lounges. The work stations are equipped with high quality ergonomic, height-adjustable desks, sophisticated lighting concepts and soundproofing measures.
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»We wanted to create an optimal working environment that responds to the individual professional and personal needs. The new premises foster communication, creativity and teamwork.« Antje von Dewitz on the objective of the remodeling work
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In addition, special equipment based on each area’s needs was added, such as windows in the product development department made of true-color flint glass which facilitates the work of the clothing designers.
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»It was a huge challenge to manage a remodeling project of these dimensions - without interrupting the workflow.« VAUDE CFO Erwin Gutensohn (responsible for the construction management)
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Where parking spaces and asphalt previously lined the path to the main entrance, a campus-like courtyard with sweeping green areas was created which was designed taking our biodiversity concept into consideration. The focal point of the courtyard is a 10-meter climbing wall; VAUDE’s many climbing enthusiasts have looked forward to this for a long time.
Right next to that, a large wooden patio invites to a relaxed outdoor lunch. The parking spaces eliminated by the restructuring were deliberately left unreplaced; instead, employees have been encouraged for years to engage in eco-friendly commuting, for example with company owned e-bikes or using a shuttle service. More at - Bike Commuting
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»It was important to us to make the building sustainable. With ecological materials and energy-efficient solutions.« Antje von Dewitz / VAUDE CEO
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Healthy working conditions include a good diet. “We decided to offer our employees healthy meal options, and quickly realized that we would either have to go all in, or not at all,” said Erwin Gutensohn. So VAUDE constructed an extensive canteen with a professional, fully equipped kitchen that prepares fresh organic food daily. The ingredients are primarily locally sourced from organic farms.
The natural, hand-crafted wooden furniture creates a cozy atmosphere. “This is a lively central space for our company, where you can meet colleagues from other departments with whom you might not otherwise have any contact. With the company size that we have now reached, this is very important for good collaboration,” said Antje von Dewitz.
You can pre-order lunch at our organic canteen here.
Examples of ecological awareness can be found everywhere. For example, the carpets were made from recycled abandoned fishing nets that pose a grave danger for fish in our seas. For the wood patio, Walaba wood from Surinam was used that was salvaged from a reservoir which held large amounts of valuable wood – in the coming years it would otherwise have rotted and released climate harming methane.
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»The new premises embody our VAUDE values very well. An open, inspirational working environment was created in which innovative and creative thinking can unfold – and all of it in harmony with nature. That is the best environment for fresh ideas in order to develop products for the outdoors.« Antje von Dewitz
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How the VAUDE company headquarters looked before the conversion ...
... during the various phases of construction ...
... during the conversion phase ...
... and after the final inspection.
The following is a summary of the most important company conversion information:
Project: Revitalization of the headquarters of VAUDE Sport GmbH & Co. KG in Tettnang
Construction Period June 2013 to April 2014 (1st construction phase), completion mid-2015
Net building space: 9,300 square meters
Heating / Cooling:
Acoustical Solutions: High-performance sound absorbers on ceilings and walls
Office types:
Ergonomic beginnings:
Lighting concepts:
| GRI: | G4-DMA Supplier Assessment for Labor Practices |
| GRI: | G4-DMA Supplier Human Rights Assessment |
