Debrunner Koenig Offices – St. Gallen
Work-Rebels designed the Debrunner Koenig offices in St. Gallen to integrate industrial heritage and modern sustainability, fostering collaboration with bespoke elements that honor the company’s roots while addressing ecological needs.
The new headquarters for Debrunner Koenig AG marks a strategic milestone: consolidating three separate locations into one future-oriented hub in the heart of St. Gallen. Work Rebels was tasked with creating a space that honors the company’s deep roots—founded in St. Gallen in 1755—while paving the way for modern collaboration.
The goal was not merely to design a beautiful office, but to forge a space with a distinct identity and high recognition value. The new premises needed to reflect the client’s DNA—steel and metal—while adhering to a strict ecological framework. The result is a workspace where raw industrial aesthetics meet high-end circular economy.
Sustainability as a Design Driver
Breaking away from the “everything new” standard, Interior Architect Olivia Hager implemented a rigorous “Second Life” concept. Approximately 80% of the furniture consists of refurbished design classics. This approach proved that sustainability does not require compromising on aesthetics; instead, it creates a curated, timeless atmosphere that significantly reduces the project’s carbon footprint and budget without sacrificing quality.
Identity & Craftsmanship
To make the brand physically tangible, the lead architect designed bespoke steel elements that act as the spine of the office. Key features include a massive, raw steel beam at the reception and a sculptural room divider with colored glass insets. These custom pieces serve as an homage to the client’s core business, grounding the modern workspace in its industrial history.
Meeting à la Carte
The layout moves away from uniform meeting rooms towards a “psychological zoning” strategy. The design team created distinct environments tailored to specific communication goals:
The Boardroom: Designed for high-stakes decisions, featuring historic engravings, heavy textiles, and classic design to convey stability and trust.
The Focus Room: A sheltered, intimate space with soft acoustics and warm lighting. This zone is specifically designed for coaching, HR discussions, and deep-dive conversations requiring absolute discretion and psychological safety.
The Football Room: An emotional, stadium-like space designed to break down barriers, encourage playfulness, and foster creative brainstorming.
Agile Zones: Open areas with biophilic flooring and smart lighting allow for flexible collaboration.
The new headquarters demonstrates that corporate architecture can be both an identity-builder and a benchmark for resource efficiency.
Design: Work-Rebels
Interior Architecture, Project & Site Management: Olivia Hager
Metal Construction: Leo Pfiffner
Joinery / Millwork: Authentica
Lighting Design: Prolicht
Photography: Visualista
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