Wilkhahn with new headquarters for the Asian-Pacific market

[07-18-2006] Sydney - Bad Münder. Lower Saxony-based Wilkhahn is regarded on an international scale as a specialist for the manufacture of high-quality conference and office furniture. Wilkhahn has achieved double-digit growth rates in the Asian-Pacific markets for some years now. In line with this development, new headquarters have been opened in the Alexandria area of Sydney, an area that is increasingly becoming a trendsetting district for design.  Providing some 3,500m² of space for manufacturing, offices and exhibitions, the new building is one third larger than the previous location in Sydney. For Wilkhahn this therefore creates the preconditions for further expansion plans on the Chinese market (Shanghai office is to open in 2006) and in India (scheduled for 2007).

The new building complex symbolizes Wilkhahn's continuous corporate development in Australia and Asia. The access area alone marks a journey of discovery: visitors enter the building via an ascending ramp which extends into the foyer of the building. This ascent, flanked by vast glazed surfaces, allows an unimpeded view of the showroom to the right and production processes which take place in the left-hand part of the building. At the end of the ramp, a viewing platform opens up a total overview of activities in the production, administration and exhibition areas. From this platform, visitors then proceed along a passage to reach the office zones with their gallery-like, completely open-plan design. A staircase leads to the lower showroom level

The design concept marks sustainable brand development in the Asian-Pacific area. This includes the integration of technology and nature. For example, on the one hand by means of the exposed linear steel sections, visible air-conditioning technology fixtures or the technical elegance of the lighting concept and, on the other hand, by means of the generous incorporation of plants and trees and natural-finish birch cladding on the staircase and the walls. The design concept of the new factory has been developed by architect and interior designer Abbie Galvin from the office of Bligh Voller Nield, which is one of the leading architects' offices in the Asian-Pacific area.

The official opening of this new domicile took place on 1 June. 500 guests from the field of architecture and interior design, customers and, of course, staff enjoyed this memorable evening. Guests were unanimously delighted with the new factory - including the inauguration speech by Dr. Jochen Hahne, who in his capacity as Chairman of the Wilkhahn Board of Management had flown to Sydney especially for the occasion.

 

For further information and image material, please contact:

Wilkhahn
Press + Public Relations
Fritz-Hahne-Straße 8
31848 Bad Münder
Germany
Tel. +49 (0) 5042 / 999-169, Fax -230
burkhard.remmers@wilkhahn.de


An ascending ramp leads visitors past manufacturing and office zones/exhibition areas up to the viewing platform


To the left: location of manufacturing where high-quality conference and office furniture is tailor-made for customers in Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, China and India


To the right: separated by a green verge of trees, the spacious showroom unfolds with upper-floor gallery areas which house the administration department


Interplay of technology and nature: the birch cladding of the ramp, the walls and the staircase, as well as the "green verge" flanking the ramp integrate with the technical elegance of the supporting structure and the lighting concept to create an attractive union of opposites


Red carpet treatment: Wilkhahn Asia-Pacific managing directors Peter Röhrig and Olaf Menschel with Wilkhahn head Dr. Jochen Hahne in the centre



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