Spiegel Publishing House Offices – Hamburg
Studio Besau Marguerre’s Spiegel Publishing House offices in Hamburg seamlessly blend Verner Panton’s iconic design legacy with modern functionality, creating a vibrant, flexible Clubroom that honors heritage while meeting contemporary needs.
The SPIEGEL publishing house in Hamburg has unveiled its new Clubroom, designed by the Hamburg-based design duo Studio Besau-Marguerre. Tasked with honoring the visionary Danish designer Verner Panton while meeting contemporary needs, the studio created a bold, flexible, and inviting space that bridges heritage and modernity.
Panton, who famously designed the original Spiegel building interior in 1969, used immersive monochromatic color schemes and iconic pieces like his Spiral Lamp. Studio Besau-Marguerre approached the redesign with great respect for this legacy. They conducted detailed research and engaged Spiegel employees to understand the lasting impact of Panton’s design language. The resulting concept is what the designers call “playful purism”: color used with clarity and purpose, interpreted in a lighter, more graphic way than Panton’s heavy opulence.
Key original pieces from Panton’s Spiegel interiors, such as the green Knoll sofa from Rudolf Augstein’s office and the pink meeting-room sofa, anchor the new design. These vintage elements set the tone for distinct color zones: a mint-green area that flows through walls, curtains, and seating, a pink lounge zone framed by custom-designed curtains, and a vibrant yellow bar area that connects the space while providing hidden storage and event functionality.
Throughout the 155 m² Clubroom, flexibility is paramount. Modular furniture, rolling sofas, high tables, and movable whiteboards allow staff to reconfigure the space daily, supporting everything from quiet conversation to workshops and even dance events. Semi-transparent curtains divide or open zones as needed, concealing technical elements and enabling varied uses.
Studio Besau-Marguerre also designed bespoke elements like the central yellow bar counter and the “North” luminaires, which reinterpret Panton’s Spiral Lamp in high-gloss silver. These shimmering fixtures hang in groups, creating rhythmic accents while referencing the building’s design history. A “Wall of Fame” with historic letters and photos further roots the space in Spiegel’s heritage.
The result is a contemporary, user-centered environment that celebrates Panton’s innovative spirit while adapting to the needs of modern work culture: colorful, adaptable, sensual, and deeply respectful of design heritage.
Design: Studio Besau Marguerre
Photography: Silke Zander
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