With the re-design of the entree and inside courtyard of Boston Consulting Group, we had a clear objective in mind: energetically reflecting the brand’s personality of the international consulting agency in the landmark building »Stadttor« in Düsseldorf. Thus, we aimed to let visitors experience the philosophy of this enterprise and its people with all their senses: friendly, communicative and unique.
In early 2015, BCG will move into a new, 7000 sqm venue in the famous Kö-Bogen. With the new design of the current premises, however, the visitor is given a preview of the company’s future: Located on the top floors of the 19-storey Stadttor, a new entree welcomes visitors and employees. The new design of reception desk depicts all the worldwide locations of BCG – a clear reference to both the international reach of the consulting group and its local presence in Düsseldorf. A dark green sets the mood and integrates the various elements that define the room: This corporate identity colour is also found on the reception desk and in the soft gloss, acoustically active wall covering as well as in the special vinyl floors that link up the public and internal areas.
From here, the visitor steps into an atrium that seems to hover between two wings of the building. This generously airy, three-level centre piece connects the exterior and interior spaces of the BCG offices as an allegory of the synthesis of nature and culture.
In the basalt floor, recycled glas gravel sections replace the old plant beds. The colors chosen (green, aqua and a warm grey) represent nature’s elements: grass, water and earth. The interconnection of nature and culture is also taken up by large format photos contracted from renowned photography artists André Wagner and Jörg Hempel: a birch tree forest and a chemical plant, both printed in a near-realistic scale, convey a true-to-life impression – the viewer feels transported straight into the scene. The vertical orientation of the compositions underlines the visual shape of the room and the pictures’ material improves its acoustic atmosphere.
Half-open lounge lodges seem to float on a water surface. Embedded in unobtrusive bird twitter, they can serve as places for recreation or informal meetings. Their half-open shape induce a confidential and cozy atmosphere. The outer material – tree bark – refers back to the birch forest photograph. The inner materials take up this allusion: Felt, a deep-pile outdoor floor covering reminiscent of grass, benches with a neoprene upholstery combine with birch tree stumps serving as coffee tables.
A counter rests on a raw steel framework. This sculptural object’s shape takes up the geometry of the floor and links to the photograph of the industrial plant. The object is a part of the conference area and can serve as a meeting point, a communication place, a reception or as a buffet table – in short, this flexible design lends itself to the most diverse occasions.
When leaving the premises, guests are reminded once more of the corporate culture of BCG.
The elevators are vividly covered with important principles and key words.
