March 4, 2020

Von M’s Minimalist Vision for Designit’s Munich Studio Focuses on Flexibility

Baierl & Demmelhuber Innenausbau fabricated the custom reception desk. Photography courtesy of Von M, Stuttgart.

Designit, a global strategic design agency, has clear ideas about how office spaces should look—and work. But when it came time for a new office concept for its Munich studio, the firm turned to Stuttgart-based Von M, which has approached residential and institutional projects throughout Germany with an open-minded minimalism since Matthias Siegert founded the firm in 2004.

For Designit, Siegert says, “the guiding principle was to create a human-shaped workspace. It should provide room for flexibility and creativity as well as various spaces for collaboration and concentration, and also be entirely barrier-free and accessible.”

Curtains demarcate the lounge/break room, complete with a skateboard and foosball table. Photography courtesy of Von M, Stuttgart.

The 9,700-square-foot space comprises eight project rooms, a kitchen, and 44 flexible workstations, all prefaced by a bright yellow custom reception desk. The main intervention, though, is a custom expanse of felt-lined birch containing phone rooms, small offices, and storage, with exterior niches stuffed with pillows for reading or shelves for plants and prints. The panels, glazed in gray, can be equipped individually, Siegert says, “and thus additionally serve as presentation displays for current projects.” It’s all proof of what a flexible workplace can inspire. 

A custom table and benches offer places to talk in the communication area. Photography courtesy of Von M, Stuttgart.
Panels incorporate the indispensable espresso machine. Photography courtesy of Von M, Stuttgart.
A kitchen with graphic black-and-white chevron wallpaper offers a sink and faucet by Blanco. Photography courtesy of Von M, Stuttgart.
A birch custom room divider/storage unit incorporates a phone box with felt interior and a door covered in Viennese woven cane; the pendant is by Nyta. Photography courtesy of Von M, Stuttgart.

Read more: Scout & Nimble Feels at Home Inside Former Missouri Bar

Recent Projects