Sustainable remodeling of the VAUDE Headquarters

For our goal of creating a progressive, healthy work space for 500 employees, a modern office concept, ‘green’ campus, climbing wall, organic canteen and much more were incorporated. The brand values of VAUDE, a sustainable, innovative outdoor outfitter, can be experienced at the company premises.

After the launch of the major renovation in November 2012, the whole company building was completely remodeled and refurbished concurrent with normal operations over two phases and a period of nearly three years.

Natural wood, excellent lighting and an open-space concept characterize the new workplaces that are tailored to the needs of our employees. Modern open-plan offices with ample options for privacy, meeting rooms, communication areas and lounges were created. Each workplace is equipped with a high quality ergonomic, height adjustable desk, sophisticated lighting concepts and soundproofing measures.

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.

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 you to a relaxed lunch outdoors. The parking spaces eliminated by the restructuring were deliberately not replaced; 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.

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 VAUDE canteen has official organic certification. Employees, external visitors and the children of the on-site childcare center can now enjoy pure organic meals daily. The ingredients are largely 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.

The entire remodeling was carried out in accordance with the strictest environmental criteria. The result is a ‘green building’ with DGNB-certification in which all aspects of sustainable building are realized, such as ecological construction materials and a maximally energy efficient building structure.

Examples of our 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 that in the coming years would otherwise just rot and release climate harming methane.