A Tribute to Tea, Tradition, and Innovation –
For the 200th anniversary of the long-established and Frankfurt-based company Ronnefeldt, we developed a new design concept that combines a passion for the craft of tea with modern work environments and celebrates the history of Ronnefeldt. An architectural tea ceremony where the boundary between physical space and the timeless tradition of tea disappears. The move from the former manufacturing building in Bockenheim to an office building at Frankfurt’s Westhafen Pier does not only mark a physical change of the Ronnefeldt headquarter. In addition to administration and manufacturing, the new spaces also house a tasting room and a tea archive, transforming the comprehensively redesigned work environment of the new headquarters into a deeply engaging brand atmosphere.
The new office structure manifests the development of the brand and creates user-specific spaces. Workplaces, showroom, tea-tasting room, and archive enable a holistic experience of the Ronnefeldt brand – an experience that makes the company values, the long tradition of the tea manufacturing, and the promise of excellence tangible with all senses. Internal training sessions and external tastings, now happening in a shared space, complete this immersive brand experience.
Visitors are personally welcomed in the bright office foyer and immediately immersed in the world of Ronnefeldt. A brand wall along the lounge area offers insights into the history and the 200-year experience of the Frankfurt tea brand.
The high quality of the teas and their fine aromas are also reflected in the subtle colour palette of the materials and furniture. Round shapes recall the delicate movements of the tea ceremony, while the elegant, flowing lights resemble falling water droplets.
The thematic wall design of the tea-tasting room unfolds like delicate tea leaves and permeates the atmosphere with subdued elegance through extensive glazing. Ongoing tastings and training sessions focus on the tangible world of the art of tea. Variable lighting situations and colors stage the direct contact with the product in a stimulating manner. The product is not only displayed in the tea lab but made sensually experienceable in all its facets.
In addition to the training rooms, a tea kitchen tailored to the special requirements for tea preparation allows employees to familiarize themselves with and enjoy the latest Ronnefeldt products during work hours.
With a view of the Main River, the open office area extends, ending in a spacious lounge with panoramic views at the end of the individual workstations. Textile elements allow the space to be divided into various meeting options, making it a versatile place for team communication.
