RTL is the largest private television network in Germany, offering a wide range of media services including television, streaming, print, digital, radio, and podcasts. In response to the global pandemic, which has significantly reshaped the work environment, RTL is developing a new workplace strategy and has entrusted Evolution Design with the master planning of its headquarters and broadcasting center in the renowned Rheinhallen in Cologne-Deutz. The 80,000-square-meter center includes broadcasting and production studios, workspaces, meeting and event areas, a canteen, and several community hubs catering to RTL's employees and guests. As part of this larger-scale project, several pilot projects have been completed, including two vibrant informal meeting hubs.
Both hubs are designed to deliver an inviting atmosphere that encourages social interactions, offer people a refreshing break from daily tasks, but primarily provide an informal space for meetings, creating an alternative to traditional desk-bound or formal meeting setting. Accented with RTL’s corporate colors to infuse freshness and energy into the space, the interiors also feature bespoke joinery installations. The open-plan design is divided into various zones that are also used for events, presentations, and video productions.
Round coffee counters, crafted from brushed stainless steel, serve as the focal points of the hubs. Equipped with coffee machines, tea-making facilities, and water taps, these islands provide space for chance encounters and offer refreshments. A blend of round and irregular shapes, such as a substantial oak zigzag-shaped table, bespoke light installations, and acoustic elements, contributes to a dynamic atmosphere and playful design, adding an element of surprise. Surrounding these vibrant hubs are various creative and workshop rooms, fostering further opportunities for collaboration and exchange.
The completion of these hubs marks a significant milestone in RTL's ongoing transformation. By fostering a social atmosphere and providing an alternative to traditional meeting settings, this human-centered approach energizes the workplace and supports RTL's new workplace strategy and principles. It enhances collaboration, creativity, and productivity within the company's 80,000-square-meter broadcasting and production center, aligning with RTL's goals for a dynamic and adaptive post-pandemic work environment.
