elena veronese creates a vibrant environment for volkswagen startup in berlin

designer elena veronese was commissioned to design the new berlin offices for weshare, a young and fast-growing company subsidiary of volkswagen, which shapes future mobility and offers a 100% electric car sharing service. the company offers the electric car sharing service in berlin and has expansion foals in seven european cities by the end of 2020. its new space provides a variety of different environments for over 100 employees to work individually, co-work in groups, rest, meet and talk.

elena veronese was asked to design the new offices located in mollstraße, in an important building from the 70’s. an industrial structure characterized by low ceilings, dark and gloomy finishes and exposed technical parts was to be turned into a bright and airy atmosphere for weshare’s new offices. 

the challenge was to create an open office that offers a variety of different environments for over the employees to work in. the spaces, spanning 1600 sqm over two floors, offer places for people to work individually and co-work in groups, rest and meet in closed rooms. the offices also include open areas to lounge, talk and collaborate. 

veronese, in collaboration with architect giulia fagni and set designer simone serlenga decided to make the office environment more welcoming by using energizing color palettes and a rich material ___.  the interiors boast bold color combinations, plants, shielded relax areas and different textiles. graphic murals and tactile seats keep the employees __.

to communicate the brand and values of the young and dynamic mobility start-up, the designers set out to find contemporary decorative elements, modern furniture and a nice balance between corporate representative and casual spaces. the seven meeting rooms, distributed throughout the 2 floors, each have a different character and color, designed to incentivize collaboration and evoke different sensations. the yellow room nurtures creativity and energy. 

the salmon pink room has a calming yet focused effect, enhanced by its rounded furniture. the blue room, designed for more informal and quick meetings, represents mobility, urban culture and the city of berlin as a wallpaper map. the biggest meeting room is clad in wooden panelling, furnished with wooden chairs and a table, and boasts a neon light company logo. this room provides the office with a large space to host internal and external meetings in a strongly branded yet smoothing natural environment. 

the custom-made, birch plywood phone booths stand as landmarks on the grey vinyl flooring creating a contrast between the minimal bright exterior and the colourful warm interiors. the booths host private phone-calls and small meetings. two-size modules phone-booths function also as screens for the annex relaxation area, equipped with a wide and comfortable sofa that overlooks the windows. 

bigger lounging spaces can be found in each floor and also host additional work places and cozy seating. translating the need for company-wide meetings, veronese and collaborators also designed an all-hands area, whose aesthetic takes its cue from the memphis movement. squared and rounded modules covered by recycled patterned vinyl are added to the stairs and seats to create movement and depth, outlining the shapes and breaking the geometries. 

the brand colors and logo are displayed throughout the project, most notably in the long corridor, which serves as the first reception area for the visitors. elena veronese, giulia fagni and simone serlenga designed a vibrant environment that builds a strong company culture, gives employees a sense of belonging and is dynamic and projected to the future without losing its coziness. photos by sabine zoltnere

project info:

project name: weshare

design: elena veronese

location: berlin, germany

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edited by: cristina gomez | designboom