Omicron Campus, Klaus © David Matthiessen

User perspective – work environments

In our user series, we visited some of our projects and met our users in an open dialogue, with perspectives from the other side. For us, it was an opportunity to gain insights from their daily life and get to the bottom of questions: What has stood the test of time and what would we do differently today? What emotions does a space trigger? How comfortable do the users feel? What do they like, what would they change? We went on site and let our users have a say in this format.

One of our interviews took us to Klaus, in Vorarlberg, to the headquarters of the globally active company Omicron. Martin Pfanner, who led the company for many years and now works as a product manager, explains how the Omicron Campus fulfils the demand for comfort, sustainability and innovation. The corporate philosophy of founder Rainer Aberer was the basis of all planning from the very beginning.

Interview with Martin Pfanner from Omicron
© Dietrich Untertrifaller

The employees take centre stage here. The campus really has created an environment in which they can develop their potential, with optimal working conditions and as few rules and boundaries as possible. You can feel the natural materials throughout the building. We have also paid particular attention to the lighting moods, which adapt to the time of day and the weather. As one employee confirms: "You won't find this light anywhere else".

Martin Pfanner: "The plan was for the building to reflect us as a company. But it was never the intention to create a monument or memorial, it simply has to work for everyone." Or as another employee remarks: "Not everything at Omicron is for everyone, but there is something for everyone."

"Create an environment free of artificial boundaries where a team of excellent colleagues can achieve excellent results while having fun at work. This team deserves recognition for finding the best solutions for our customers."

Rainer Aberer, founder of Omicron

Resting zone made of clay, Omicron Campus, Klaus
© David Matthiessen

The hotspots at the intersections of the building are another important feature. For example, in the form of the walk-in wooden sculpture "The Body" or the lovingly named "Potato" relaxation zone made of clay. Whether for an afternoon coffee, an after-work beer or simply for a power nap in between – there is something for all tastes. At the weekend, the campus opens its doors to everyone: friends and family are invited to explore the building and let off steam in the many play zones, from table tennis, billiards and table football to the gaming zone and mini golf oasis. The rooms can even be booked for a party. Children in particular appreciate this connection to their parents' working environment. But the most impressive thing for visitors and customers is the very relaxed campus atmosphere they experience here.

What else would he want for the building? "It must still work in 20 years' time, so it has to be flexible and adaptable to future requirements. One thing that will certainly be considered as the world of work continues to change is more room for open spaces and shared offices. Recyclability is another issue. Today, there are still solid concrete cores for bracing, where in the future it will certainly be possible to use timber construction for this. Climate neutrality is another important goal. We are already very well positioned here with photovoltaics and geothermal energy."

Text: Anu-Ujin Walser, June 2024

Social responsibility and why we need places of communication

As architects do we actually have a social responsibility? And do we fulfil it? When we deal with a project, we are initially confronted with the question of ‘How?’: How do I manage to accommodate a certain number of people in a given space? With this question we are neither acting ethically nor are we fulfilling our social responsibility. Only when we ask ‘For whom?’ and ‘What can we change for society?’ do we take the perspective of our users and think about moral principles.

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User perspective on learning environments

In our user series, we visit some of our projects and meet our users in an open dialogue, with perspectives from the other side. For us, it is an opportunity to gain insights from their daily life and get to the bottom of questions: What has stood the test of time and what would we do differently today? What emotions does a space trigger? How comfortable do the users feel? What do they like, what would they change?

This series also took us to a place we all know: school. Far more than a place of learning, it is a place for social interaction and value education and in some ways reflects our society. Hardly any other place combines community and the built environment as concisely as a school. In our interview with the Edlach primary school in Dornbirn, teaching staff and pupils talked about their school life and give us an insight into how they perceive their built environment.

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Omicron Campus, Klaus (AT)
New building, Building in existing structures

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legero united campus, Feldkirchen (AT)
New building

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Wibeba administration, Wieselburg (AT)
New building

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