How this Berlin workspace tells a new story within a listed building

Photography: Sebastian Dörken

First conceived as a leisure destination by Heinrich Schweitzer and Alexander Diepenbrock in 1910 – initially housing an ice rink, bowling alley, cinema and an opulent spa on the top floor – Berlin’s Admiralspalast building is rich with character. Aiming to balance this architectural heritage with a forward-thinking office design, Berlin-based studio Kinzo were tasked with transforming the upper floors of the building for a tech company seeking a new HQ. Despite the site’s Art Nouveau aesthetic, emblematic of the city’s golden twenties, the studio turned to visions of contemporary New York offices as a design template, constructing a future-proof workspace atop the popular 1,756-seat theatre below.

Admiralspalast’s Art Nouveau character and its function as a former bath house acted as guiding principles for Kinzo’s design concept, influencing everything from the floor plan to staging and reinterpreting historical artefacts or fixtures. For instance, sections of the original ceramic- and mosaic-tiled floor are displayed in circular glass cases surrounding the new reception desk, giving visitors and office tenants a glimpse of the building’s storied past amongst all the colourful, modern additions to the space.

Benches where bathers once met to relax and converse on contemporary issues have also been updated and transformed into a dedicated library-like space, ideal for quiet focus or small group work. Retaining the arched ceilings synonymous with Roman-style baths, these customised retreat niches are also joined by an eight-metre-long community table and individual counter workstations, allowing staff the flexibility of coworking and collaboration as well as focused work when needed.

An L-shaped gallery level (constructed by Graft) was incorporated into the redesign, providing the dual function of emphasising the striking high ceilings and maximising the 5,500 sqm footprint available. Underneath this gallery extension, Kinzo conceived three specifically designed ‘retreat rooms’ – each with their own distinctive, playful theme – to recognise the growing importance of social spaces in the modern workplace. Here, staff have the choice of a stylised ‘pool room’, fully planted jungle room or a plush disco room where they can hold social events, share a coffee break with a colleague or simply take a moment alone.