Concept: Planning for Change
The deer Campus Calw demonstrates how architectural foresight enables lasting transformation. More than 20 years ago, Schmelzle+Partner designed and delivered the building as a workshop and training facility, with a flexible spatial concept at its core. When deer, a leading e-car sharing company, acquired the site, Schmelzle+Partner transformed the existing building into a contemporary workplace tailored to agile ways of working—demonstrating the long-term value of adaptable architecture.
From Workshop to Workplace
The refurbishment builds carefully on the existing structure, integrating quiet workspaces, collaborative zones and shared areas into the former workshop hall. At its heart is a generous open-plan office that can be divided into quieter work areas and meeting spaces using curtains—providing flexibility without permanent partitions. Complementing the spatial concept are fully sound-insulated Mute Boxes for focused conversations and calls, as well as a Bene Pixel Tower, offering a compact retreat for small meetings. Informal interaction takes place in the tea kitchen and on the terrace, creating a direct connection between the team and the outdoors.
The exposed concrete and industrial character of the former workshop have been deliberately preserved, allowing the building's history to remain tangible. Within the workspaces, however, a calm and warm material palette defines the atmosphere. RUGX carpets connect the different zones both acoustically and visually, while Artemide Eggboard acoustic ceiling elements absorb sound and ensure a comfortable acoustic environment despite the generous volume of the former industrial hall. In the break area, sound-absorbing luminaires by Buzzi further enhance the calm and comfortable atmosphere.
The interior combines furniture by Brunner, Vitra and Alea. All workstations feature height-adjustable desks designed to support modern New Work principles, while Muuto stools complement the informal collaboration areas. Carefully planned lighting provides warm, glare-free illumination throughout the workplace. A dedicated quiet room offers space for relaxation and regeneration, while a newly installed ventilation system ensures a continuous supply of fresh, fully air-conditioned air across all work areas.
Energy-efficient building systems and sustainably sourced materials further enhance the building's environmental performance, demonstrating how architectural quality, workplace comfort and ecological responsibility can be brought together.
Sustainability
Sustainability is the defining principle of the project. By retaining and upgrading the existing building, valuable resources were preserved and the embodied carbon already stored within its structure was maintained. The original flexible floor plan enabled the transformation with only minimal structural intervention, significantly reducing material consumption, construction time and environmental impact. The deer Campus Calw illustrates how extending the life cycle of an existing building can successfully combine ecological responsibility, economic efficiency and architectural quality.
