An active meeting place
Two worlds meet Interview with project architect Martha Lewis Which role has Henning Larsen Architects played in the interior design of Spiegel Headquarters? Henning Larsen Architects has been responsible for the interior design of the headquarters, including the selection of materials. A special characteristic feature is the 13 footbridges in the atrium, creating a dynamic connection between the third and twelfth floor and also the adjacent café/lounge – a triple high space forming part of the prominent large window facing the city, ’Fenster zur Stadt’. The lounge is a creative re-installation of Verner Panton’s original, colourful pop art design developed specifically for Spiegel’s previous Hamburg headquarters in 1969. The common wish of Der Spiegel and the preservation institution of Hamburg was for the new café to feature elements
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of the original design. Thus, we have re-used the colours, lamps, chairs and tables of the old Spiegel Headquarters – making two worlds meet: the colourful, expressive Panton universe on the one side and the more simple expression characterising the design of Henning Larsen Architects on the other. In all the remaining parts of the building, focus has been on creating a light, open and transparent environment by primarily applying bright colours and natural materials – adding highlights from Panton’s palette of colours to create a special atmosphere and experience in the more hidden parts of the building. We have put great emphasis on not bringing everything on to ‘the cover’, but instead giving the users – Spiegel’s employees and visitors – the
HENNING LARSEN ARCHITECTS | SPIEGEL HQ