The Gottstein company refines carefully selected virgin wool in its purest form into seamless felt comfort slippers in an old tradition. Already in its 3rd generation, the wool manufacturer supplies selected shoe retailers and supplies leading specialist mail order companies with the highest quality slippers. It was now decided to build a distinctive building that would match the company's orientation and an invited competition was announced.
Sustainability, a clear design language and a pleasant working atmosphere were the client's specifications and form the basis of the entire project. The result was a building in sustainable timber frame construction with a load-bearing exposed concrete core. The new company headquarters fits sculpturally and harmoniously into the existing company premises and is a composition of valuable craftsmanship and modern architecture. The access core, which includes an elevator and an installation shaft, also houses the building's sanitary and ancillary rooms. This solid exposed concrete core serves as a static element and was constructed with rough-sawn board formwork. A spacious entrance/exhibition hall leads to the upper floor where the workplaces are located. Glass partitions act as a threshold and delimit the offices from the hallways and common areas. A generous air space inside the building allows the outside to merge with the inside and allows plenty of light to reach the basement of the building. A sales room for the Tyrolean family business's products is to be created there.
The materials wood and concrete shape the appearance of the company headquarters both inside and outside. The basic idea of the concept is to use these materials as clearly and harmoniously as possible and creates a friendly and bright atmosphere for visitors and employees. On the outside, the building appears light and sculptural thanks to its transparent glass surfaces and its structural sculpture. The presence of the window openings is further strengthened by framed portals.