
British American Tobacco (BAT) Germany Offices – Hamburg
Architekturbüro Ratschko redesigned BAT Germany’s office space in Hamburg, creating a modern interpretation of “New Work” with open spaces and versatile work zones on 8,500 square meters.
BAT Germany (British American Tobacco) celebrated the opening of its redesigned office space at its headquarters on Hamburg’s Outer Alster. These are based on the designs of Hamburg architects Ratschko. The result is a modern interpretation of “New Work” on an area of around 8,500 square metres, spread over five floors of the seven-storey building.
The BAT Germany office building dates back to the 1930s and is located directly on the banks of the Alster in Hamburg, close to the city centre. Before the remodelling, the building was characterised by cubicle offices and long corridors. An adaptation carried out in 2008 – also by the Ratschko architects’ office – had brought some air to the site, but the old structures had nevertheless been retained.
The current modernisation of the building was preceded by a study that weighed up the relocation to a new building against the conversion of the existing building. This came to the conclusion that the modernisation of the headquarters was more sustainable and sensible.
The extensive remodelling reflects the modern corporate culture of BAT Germany. The result is characterised by open spaces with far-reaching lines of sight for activity-based working: home zones have been set up for the departments on the standard floors. Here, employees are free to choose where they want to work. Depending on the type of activity, flexible office space, team workspaces, telephone boxes, concentration workstations, seating areas and cosy alcoves are available. A communal kitchen and a “family table” form the ideal centre of each floor.
“Leave out everything superfluous, keep everything useful”
To this end, the building was completely gutted, the fire compartments and airlocks were reorganised and the floor plans and building services were completely renewed. The project took around two years from conception to completion. “Our approach was simple: remove everything superfluous, keep everything necessary and useful. Overall, we demolished around two thirds of the existing interior,” explains architect Kai Ratschko. His office specialises in building in existing buildings. “For the new concept, we turned the entire area inside out. The challenges included the acoustics and the light. Both are key elements of the open-space concept.”The ground floor of the BAT headquarters, the inner courtyard and the seventh floor with the club restaurant and roof terrace also follow the new designs by the Ratschko architectural office. The restaurant now presents itself as a communicative and versatile place to spend time. On the ground floor, the new lobby forms the centrepiece of a versatile conference floor. The green inner courtyard offers a pleasant place to spend time and the former computer centre has been converted into the “black box”, a multimedia auditorium.
Acceptance as “my office”
During the planning and construction phase, the Ratschko architecture firm provided intensive support for all developments and coordination. “The entire project was a collaborative process,” says Kai Ratschko. “It’s not like one person comes along and pulls the solution out of a hat.”Employees were able to play an active role in this process. This increases acceptance, says Kai Ratschko: “Employees used to say, ‘I’m going to my office’ and meant their individual office. Today, they mean the entire 8,500 square metres.”
The new rooms meet the current requirements of employees for their working environment. At the same time, they are adaptable enough to last. “In our projects, we make sure that the rooms can be adapted to new requirements without major structural work,” explains Kai Ratschko. “That’s part of our concept of sustainability.”
Design: Architekturbüro Ratschko
Photography: Architekturbüro Ratschko | Jakob Börner