New Work: inspired work needs human-centric lighting

Open architecture, open room layouts 

At the headquarters of Hartung GmbH, specialists in greeting cards, gifts and stationery, one of the defining principles is that of openness. This not only applies to the building’s architecture, which establishes a link between the internal and external with tall glass fronts, open staircase and a large skylight, but also to the configuration of the rooms. Instead of self-contained cellular offices, employees can expect an open plan, spacious room layout. Rather than individual restricted and divided offices, the space blends into one for intensive work, effective communicative exchange and for culinary breaks.. The lighting provided by Zumtobel helps to open up the space in a user-friendly way and create the best conditions for a versatile, inspiring work environment. “Our employees are delighted and are enjoying the different lighting scenarios,” summarises Olaf Reiner, Managing Director of Hartung GmbH. “An ingenious mix of accentuated and stylish basic lighting.”  

Work and environment: how are the two connected?  

Our results are significantly influenced by where we work and how this space is designed. For the new building of Hartung GmbH’s headquarters, Managing Director Olaf Reiner and his wife, Ute, considered in great detail the effect of rooms on workplace psychology and explored the question: what do modern offices look like today? “We wanted to create a modern, stylish atmosphere where people feel comfortable, where they like to come and where they can work creatively,” says Olaf Reiner. “We believe that a good work environment not only boosts people’s well-being but ultimately also their performance.”   

The cosiness of home, the communicative atmosphere of a marketplace 

Zumtobel worked closely with Hartung GmbH's management team to achieve the optimum interaction between light, space and internal architecture: “We were in direct contact with Ute and Olaf Reiner and we were always able to develop their ideas in a flexible way,” recalls Zumtobel's Lighting Designer, Marcel Zimmermann.  

“By providing a vision in advance, Zumtobel was able to bring all our ideas to life and specifically address our individual requirements,” says Olaf Reiner. “A very effective collaboration with great flexibility that catered to our specific requests.” 

Today's light for the office of the future  

The example of Hartung GmbH shows: New Work is also changing office lighting requirements. It involves spaces that promote a culture of well-being instead of being purely functional. Flexible workplaces instead of fixed desks. Creativity and collaboration instead of silo thinking. New workspaces need light that can be used flexibly and adapted when needed. Light that creates zones and individually illuminates different activities. Light that supports people's work in the room not just visually but also emotionally. Zumtobel meets these requirements with state-of-the-art LED luminaires, tailor-made solutions and contemporary lighting design from a single source. Today's light for tomorrow's world of work.