The Birkenstock campus in Linz am Rhein, Rheinland-Pfalz, is located on a hill above the Rhein, next to the castle Ockenfels, since 1998 presentation and administrative headquarters of Birkenstock. The romantic, original scenic beauty of the Rhine Valley inspired LORENZATELIERS to great architectural thrift in the design of the new building.

The two-storey structure consists of two rows of combined offices and an atrium in between. The 20-meter-wide and 111-meter-long atrium is the centre, the heart of the building. The exciting, varied spatial sequence is clearly structured and facilitates orientation. Paths, bridges, passages, atria and roof gardens create communicative meeting zones and a diverse work environment for employees.

As always with LORENZATELIERS the relation to the exterior space is very important. From the offices you can see the Rhine (south), the garden (north) or the atrium (inside). The roof surfaces are planted with trees as a reminiscence of the surrounding orchards. The atria together with the connecting bridges form a lively inner-city atmosphere with squares, alleys, promenades, meeting places and rest areas.

In keeping with the Birkenstock philosophy, only natural materials are used that are not “distorted” by coatings: glass, exposed concrete, polished steel and wood.