Building H6 offers a unique architecture with the focus on transparency. Light-flooded rooms, architectural refinements, flexible office spaces, fresh colors, high tables for standing at and modern communication areas provide a constructive atmosphere for work. The building structure is designed to enable various configurations, such as individual offices or open spaces. Large atriums will be landscaped starting in spring 2017, and will round out the complex.
“Thanks to the architecturally open, spacious and flexible design, we have succeeded in creating a lot of space for creativity and for connecting,” said Thomas Sigi, Board Member for Human Resources and Organization at AUDI AG. “As the Board Member for Human Resources, continuing to promote these modern forms of cooperation is an important concern. As an attractive employer, this also allows us to fulfill the wishes of our employees for an innovative work environment.”
“The special design promotes communication and lends this office building a future-oriented character,” said Albert Mayer, Audi plant manager at the Ingolstadt site. “The open and sustainable design benefits direct interaction between the employees, facilitates teamwork and offers the desired flexibility in workstations.”
Klaus Mittermaier, Chairman of the General Works Council of AUDI AG, emphasized: “Modern and ergonomically conceived office environments for the workforce are also extremely important to the Works Council. The new Building H6 is implementing that magnificently.”
Covering a total area of 24,500 square meters (263,716 sq ft) – equal to four soccer fields – Audi is making room for a total 2,500 employees, primarily from the Sales and Marketing division. The first 1,000 employees will move into their new offices by Christmas; the second wave of 1,500 employees will finish moving in by the end of 2017. By then the second part of the office complex will be finished.
The prestigious Behnisch architecture firm from Munich designed the entire building, and the Rohling planning agency based in Osnabrück was responsible for the detailed plans. Thanks to a phased construction process, the three- to five-story office environment blends seamlessly into Ingolstadt’s cityscape. Consequently, the building functions as a transition between the plant premises and the residential area. The outer dimensions are 190 meters by 145 meters (623.4 ft by 475.7 ft). A total mass of 230,000 metric tons was moved for the construction. 35 km (21.7 mi) of cable was laid for important functions such as electricity supply, alarm systems, communication and IT. The façade covers an area of 25,000 square meters (269,098 sq ft), making it more than twice as large as the façade of the Allianz Arena in Munich.
The modern design of the new cafeteria has been well received by employees. Together with the Work Lounge, the restaurant makes up the focal point of the new office complex. The cafeteria currently has room for 800 diners; in the final phase of construction there will be seating for a maximum of 1,500 people. Innumerable noise-dampening cylinders on the ceiling ensure good acoustics. Employees can select from a diverse range of regional and international dishes at five counters. The cooks prepare many dishes fresh, right before the eyes of the employees. The rear section of the restaurant can be converted into a large event venue with a stage for up to 1,200 guests. And the Work Lounge with integrated coffee bar is located on the gallery level.