A sweeping curvilinear corporate headquarters for Vorwerk in Wuppertal, Germany -- an elevated circular volume with green rooftop gardens, expansive glazed facades, and a fluid dialogue between architecture and landscape.
Vorwerk, a family-owned enterprise with roots in Wuppertal dating to the late nineteenth century, sought a headquarters that could embody its dual commitment to heritage and forward-looking innovation. Situated in the heart of the city, the building lifts its primary volume above the ground plane on slender V-shaped columns, liberating a generous public landscape beneath and establishing a fluid spatial continuity between the city, the arrival plaza, and the planted rooftop terraces above.
Architecture
The headquarters is defined by its striking circular and elliptical geometry — interlocking curved volumes wrapped in a rhythmic louvered facade of white fins that filter light and modulate views across the surrounding urban fabric. At the rooftop level, a series of landscaped garden terraces are punctuated by dramatic circular oculi that bring natural light deep into the building’s interior while offering employees direct access to green outdoor space. The interplay of solid and void, opacity and transparency, gives the building a sculptural quality that shifts with the seasons and the movement of light throughout the day.
Workplace & Program
Inside, the design prioritizes flexibility, collaboration, and well-being. A luminous multi-story atrium anchored by a curved glass curtain wall serves as the central orientation space, with escalators and flowing circulation connecting the various levels. Open collaborative work zones feature hexagonal ceiling structures, biophilic planted courtyards, and adaptable furniture systems in the Vorwerk brand palette. The building’s program extends beyond traditional office space to include public-facing amenities, exhibition areas, and social gathering spaces that reinforce Vorwerk’s culture of community and innovation.
