Think Tank in the Countryside

Innovative collaboration in a natural environment

Why think tank? The proximity to the nature reserve certainly quickly explains the addition “in the countryside”. But what is meant by a think tank?

The initiators of this project wanted to use this term to illustrate the concept of this building complex. Where in the past the Hendrik-de-Wynen barracks should have defended Germany in the worst case scenario, today service companies have established themselves that stand for innovative and future-oriented ideas.

With the Mussenbrock & Partner office building, the foundation stone was laid and, with the economic growth of the chancellors, the requirements were met to expand their space.

In many discussions, it quickly became clear that this should not just be an extension of the tax and commercial law firm. The idea was to build an office complex that would house a wide variety of companies.

Thanks to good contact with today's partners, the 7 investors were quickly found, who not only finance the project, but also fill the premises with their own companies.

And this is exactly where the idea of the think tank comes in — interdisciplinary cooperation between a wide range of areas — law firm, software company, tax and auditor and architecture firm.

Every single company has its own requirements for tomorrow's workplace, every company has its own concepts for implementing ideas. But in addition to these differences, there is a wealth of similarities — and there is one thing that drives all companies in particular:

To create a working environment for employees in which they can continue to grow through continuing education, in which they feel comfortable thanks to a beautiful environment.

A working environment where the team is at the center, where they find support and at the same time also have freedom in terms of time management, flexibility in balancing family and career in order to be able to optimally contribute to their office.

According to the motto “We are stronger together”, this think tank in the countryside stands for the merger of companies that would not be able to adequately cover this offer individually.

Here, they create common areas together that should contribute to interdisciplinary exchange — the common breakfast room, offering fresh rolls and freshly squeezed orange juice with work colleagues in the morning, or to be provided with a snack at noon.

It is the meeting rooms that, thanks to their full multimedia equipment, provide all communication options, so that not every company has to make these expensive investments, but can book these rooms flexibly as required.

Training rooms that can be booked by companies to provide employees with new knowledge. But also spaces in which the various disciplines can exchange ideas about innovations.

On all of these topics, there are also various offers after work is done: sports groups, evening events with selected guest speakers, or simply sitting together at the grill when the evenings get longer in summer.

The exciting approach to this project is to bring the different professional groups together — in order to motivate and inspire each other.

In order to remain attractive as an employer in times of a shortage of skilled workers.

That is what the think tank in the countryside stands for.

The proximity to the nature reserve already explains the “green” approach.

But of course, there is more to this addition than just the physical proximity to a nature reserve.

It also stands for the structural approach of the buildings. The addition stands for the use of renewable energy with the clear requirement to use finite resources sparingly. It stands for the aim of allowing the plant's appearance to flow smoothly into the wooded area. Through a parking lot design that dissolves the pure function of the area through spacious green spaces. By planting tree structures that interrupt the sealed surfaces again and again.

By using green roofs and photovoltaics, of infillable paving in the area of parking areas, in order to counteract the increasing sealing of areas.

But also through resource-saving irrigation systems and support for electric mobility — whether by car or by bicycle.

As an entrepreneur, you also have responsibility for your employees for the environment you design.

In the next few years, an office complex with more than 3000 m² of floor space will be built here in addition to the law firm's existing office building. The space offers space for 160 employees.