If the eccentric proprietor of Wonka's chocolate manufacturing unit had a headquarters like this, he'd most likely suppose twice about handing over the keys to little Charlie. Designed by Ippolito Fleitz Group (IFG)the brand new Ritter Sport Chocolate Headquarters (which interprets to Chocolate Central) in Waldenbuch, Germany, is an exemplary mannequin of what an inspiring, cheerful and modern workplace within the confectionery trade – or any trade for that matter – ought to appear like. The number of environments and experiential rooms featured fosters a artistic and collaborative surroundings that makes the workplace really feel extra like play than work, a sentiment Willy Wonka himself would absolutely approve of.
With out leaning an excessive amount of on the saccharine, however nonetheless capitalizing on the inescapable enjoyable of operating a chocolate enterprise, IFG built-in the unmistakable graphic ingredient of a chocolate bar into the workplace design utilizing brown sq. tiles. This board could be discovered within the Schokowerkstatt / Chocolate and Cocoa Workshop, the place staff can create and style their very own fragrant concoctions, in addition to the Chocolate Café. Nearly as good design isn’t a coincidence, the sq. additionally refers back to the form within the Ritter Sport model brand.
Within the Marktplatz / Market, the guts of the workplace, the ceiling lights additionally repeat the sq. motif. The area is provided with a kitchen counter, alcoves, a cell bar desk and stadium seating to help conferences and huge occasions.
Ritter Sport's vibrant and colourful sweet packaging served as inspiration to drench the varied convention rooms, alcoves and furnishings.
Whereas the workplace isn't residence to a river of chocolate like Wonka's manufacturing unit, it does have a Backyard of Concepts, full with cacao pod pendant lights hanging from the ceiling. The semi-enclosed area is surrounded by lush greenery, making a soothing, biophilic surroundings the place creativity and concepts can soar. A sensory room additionally permits guests to expertise the sensory components of chocolate with out visible distraction.
In keeping with Ritter Sport's dedication to sustainable design, IFG has chosen to make use of solely environmentally pleasant supplies which might be low in pollution and emissions, from wall paint to carpet tiles to workplace furnishings akin to desks, chairs , lights, curtains, vegetation and planters. These supplies could be recycled or biodegraded again into the soil on the finish of their life cycle.
Since completion, the workplace has obtained a gold certificates from the German Council for Sustainable Buildings (DGNB eV), received a Crimson Dot Design Award and received a Better of Yr 2023 award for “Company Workplace: Massive” from Inside Design .
Photograph by Philip Kottlorz.