TÜV Association modernises its office – and creates spaces for dialogue for the future

Change begins with the environment – as the TÜV Association impressively demonstrates in its modernised office on the banks of the River Spree in Berlin. Where once a classic cell structure with dark corridors dominated, today there is a light-flooded space for communication, concentration and collaboration. This was made possible by exceptionally close cooperation between the interior design firm Susanne Philippson, the TÜV Association and Wilkhahn.

The portrait depicts a woman in a warm, natural lighting setting. It is a professional business portrait with no apparent connection to Wilkhahn. The focus is on personality, authenticity, and approachability.

»For long-term viability, offices today need a mix of open-plan and closed spaces.«

Susanne Philippson, interior designer

From conference rooms to bistros: rethinking spaces

A modern office environment covering around 1,200 square metres has been created, offering a wide range of usage scenarios. The redesign of the K1/K2 conference area is particularly successful, with mobile glass walls and flexible furniture allowing it to be transformed from a small meeting room into a large event space. Among other things, foldable Timetable tables, the new Confair Next programme, a ‘toolbox for agile working’ and Metrik cantilever chairs, which can also be found in other work areas of the office, are used here.

The conference room features a row of Metrik cantilever chairs in blue and orange, which stand out for their organic shape and comfortable upholstery. The flexible table arrangements and warm materials create a modern, professional meeting environment. Large windows provide plenty of natural light. — Configuration in no time at all: the two conference areas, K1 and K2, can be opened up by means of a mobile glass wall to form one large room and, depending on requirements, equipped with mobile Timetable tables and stackable Metrik armchairs. Photo: Marvin Schwienheer

The space features flexible workshop furniture, including a fold-out timetable used for agile work formats. The mobile stools and the large multifunctional display facilitate spontaneous teamwork. The strong colours, mainly blue, create an energetic work atmosphere. — The Wilkhahn Confair Next range enables an agile setting. The flip-top Timetable Lift doubles as an extra desk and whiteboard, Stand-ups and mobile stools on casters are versatile, ergonomic and a welcome change from sitting on chairs. The mobile Media Wall matches the TÜV’s corporate design. Photo: Marvin Schwienheer

Change is also noticeable in the work areas:

Traditional individual offices have largely been replaced by open-plan spaces and equipped with IN office swivel chairs and flexible Confair Next rolling shelves.
Glass cubes with Metrik cantilever chairs provide a quiet place for phone calls or meetings.
The bistro, with Yonda lounge chairs and Occo bar stools, is now more than just a break room – it is actively used as a meeting area.

The modern open-plan workspace is furnished with IN swivel chairs, recognizable by their distinctive backrest design and synchronous movement mechanism. The clean lines and glass meeting pods create a futuristic, very uncluttered work environment. The chairs add functional, ergonomic accents to the space. — [Translate to ES:] Open workspaces: IN office swivel chairs with Trimension® promote dynamic sitting; Confair Next rolling shelves with plants structure the space. Photo: Marvin Schwienheer

In an open-plan office, there are white height-adjustable desks. Black IN swivel chairs are placed around them. The office is decorated in shades of gray, white, and black.

The open lounge and gathering area features several colorful Yonda lounge chairs upholstered in blue and orange. The tall tables and Occo bar chairs complement the modern, inviting space. The light-colored architecture enhances the open, welcoming atmosphere. — Comfortable and communicative: Yonda lounge chairs and Occo standing stools in the bistro create places for community building and exchange during breaks. Photo: Marvin Schwienheer

The entrance or reception area combines light-colored materials with colorful accents. Occo bar stools are visible in the foreground. Behind the glass wall in the background are Metrik cantilever chairs, which add a splash of color to the open meeting area. — Internal glazed cubes, equipped with Metrik cantilever chairs in blue and salmon, provide transparent retreats for confidential discussions and telephone calls. Photo: Marvin Schwienheer

Hands-on planning: users test at Wilkhahn

A special milestone in the project was a joint visit by the TÜV association team to Wilkhahn's headquarters in Bad Münder. There, the future users were able to not only view the furniture, but also try it out for themselves. Through seating tests, application scenarios and discussions with product development – for example, on table solutions or media integration – it quickly became clear that Wilkhahn was not only a good fit for the project in terms of functionality, but also in terms of culture.

The findings from the visit were immediately incorporated into the planning. This resulted in a coordinated furnishing concept with a clear focus on agility, ergonomics and everyday practicality. From mobile, foldable conference tables and ergonomic swivel chairs to mobile media walls – all work areas and meeting zones were equipped with Wilkhahn products. A homogenous, functional and visually harmonious ensemble of furniture reflects the corporate design and, in its interaction with users, shapes the new working environment of the TÜV association.

The portrait depicts a man in a creative business outfit, set against a colorful, modern office backdrop. The image’s impact comes from his personality and the reflection in the glass.

»Wilkhahn not only understood our requirements, but also translated them into furniture and rooms that make everyday life noticeably easier for our employees and guests.«
Photo: Tobias Koch

Dr Joachim Bühler, Managing Director of the TÜV Association

The two people are demonstrating Timetable folding tables, which can be easily unlocked and folded up to save space. The focus is on the sturdy mechanism and the mobile frames. The modern showroom highlights the functionality of the solution. — At the Wilkhahn showroom in Bad Münder: the project team from the TÜV association, together with architect Susanne Philippson and Wilkhahn experts, tests the functionality and ergonomics of the conference tables...

A group is looking at a Timetable folding table that is currently being presented by Lutz Präger. The focus is on the intuitive folding mechanism and the high-quality craftsmanship. The setting suggests that this is a demonstration in the showroom in Eimbeckhausen.

Tim Nenast demonstrates the features of the Confair Next server rack. He is standing in front of a wall with several white Liteboards hanging on it. — The Confair Next series is also being tested...

A man is testing a rolling stool with a built-in swivel tray. The setup demonstrates its versatile use for workshops and agile work formats. The scene emphasizes mobility, experimentation, and ergonomic adjustability.

The man is sitting on an AT chair with a black frame and brown upholstery. The neutral setting highlights the chair and its comfort features. The scene looks as though he is testing or inspecting the chair's comfort. — [Translate to ES:] ... and chairs and armchairs are tested for comfort – an important factor in deciding on the final furnishings.

The two women are sitting in comfortable Yonda lounge chairs in a warm brown shade. The organic shapes and wooden frame create a cozy, relaxed atmosphere. The scene depicts a casual conversation in a modern lounge area.

Conclusion

With the redesign of its Berlin office, the TÜV Association shows how organisations can prepare themselves for the future: with bold planning, functional design and strong partners such as Wilkhahn. The new premises not only promote productive collaboration, but also symbolise the transformation of a traditional association into an agile player in a digital world.

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