OMA's Axel Springer building, which received the official launch from its namesake company today, visually confronts the disparate nature of modern office work. The 30-foot tall atrium with 3D facade elements creates a stage for unscripted interaction, while the more discreet sections of the building provide focused, quiet working space for 3,500 employees. The building will also feature a publicly-accessible park on its top.

As Rem Koolhaas noted, “Over the years, Berlin has been a profound source of inspiration, and with Axel Springer we are thrilled to continue our long engagement with this city.
We are lucky to have a client who views architecture as an instrument of change, and with this building, we hope to address a central dilemma of the contemporary office: as computer-based work has become largely intangible and silent, how can people effectively
communicate in a workspace which fosters both concentration and vigorous interaction?”

For more on the Axel Springer building:

• OMA wins Axel Springer Berlin HQ competition
• OMA’s proposal for the new Axel Springer HQ in Berlin
• BIG, OMA & Buro Ole Scheeren win Axel Springer Campus Berlin competition - Who’s on top?