Advertising Agency in Stuttgart

For its new headquarters, the advertising agency chose a building in a prominent location on the outskirts of Stuttgart with a view to the city centre. Erected in the 1960s for a dance school, and having housed a number of doctors’ practices for many years, the building has now been gutted and converted. The facade was simply treated to a new coat of paint in a subdued anthracite colour. All the more striking, in contrast, is the large lettering on the window panes, as well as an oversized lampshade-like object on the front balcony. On entering the building, one is immediately surprised by the coloration. The walls and ceiling are covered with bold stripes, and the same motif is repeated in the form of narrow slate strips in the asphalt floor. An illuminated wall, consisting of square lighting elements, directs visitors to the reception counter, where the coloured stripes and dark floor finish recur. A broad staircase leads up to the discussion rooms. These customer service areas are separated by a spacious central zone from the staff offices, which are reached via a second staircase. On the first floor, a neutral white tone with pale-green highlights creates a friendly, businesslike atmosphere. The flooring changes, too, from asphalt to carpeting – again with inlaid strips. The top three storeys, where the graphic artists and copywriters work, are distinguished by their restrained coloration, although this varies from floor to floor, lending each level its own distinct identity. All walls and soffits were clad with plasterboard, which was given at least two undercoats of white acrylic paint to bring out the full colour and create a velvety finish.