Several wooden planters, an interior garden, and a felt 'walkable landscape' are all features of the Bochum, Germany, office designed by the architecture firm Zeller & Moye. Using plants and natural materials throughout, the office was designed as an alternative to traditional workspaces for the medical software business Pradtke. Green plants standing tall and sturdy take over every corner of the space, breathing new air and life to create a mindful environment.
Work, Plants, Repeat - Inside Zeller & Moye’s Office Makeover
Zeller & Moye’s new office goes far beyond the typical workplace by offering a wide range of different spaces and atmospheres for users to navigate throughout the day. According to co-founder Ingrid Moye, the design aimed to be sustainable and prioritize the well-being of its users, embedding plants throughout all areas and using only natural materials.
The 500-square-metre office was designed to provide a variety of working environments, encouraging the team to move between spaces as needed. In addition to areas for both collaborative and individual work—each filled with planting—the studio also included an indoor garden intended for thinking and relaxing.
Spaces That are Naturally Ventilated, Sun-Bathed, and Plant-Filled
The office was designed with distinct zones that reflect the types of work carried out within the company. Each area was made for a specific activity, from focused individual work to group sessions and educational gatherings. The variety of spaces encourages employees to move throughout the office during the day, promoting spontaneous interaction and communication among staff.
A central feature of the design is the main work area, which gives the impression of a giant communal table. In reality, the space is divided by glass screens to create acoustic separation while maintaining a sense of openness. The design aims to unite the different disciplines within the company by arranging them side by side, with only a layer of glass between them.
This approach brings together collaborative spirit and individual focus within a cohesive environment. Alongside these more traditional workspaces, Zeller & Moye continued the theme of integrated planters with an indoor garden and a 'felt landscape'.
Natural Materials and Spaces That Inspire New Perspectives
The areas are naturally illuminated and ventilated because the project's goal is well-being. To create a peaceful mood, the studio used natural materials like wood, felt, and linoleum in addition to the planting. In general, Zeller and Moye hope that the workplace would support "out-of-the-box thinking" while simultaneously enabling the team to operate effectively.
As a counterpart to the main areas, the unconventional spaces, such as the internal garden and the upholstered landscape, offer not only rest, solitude, or social interaction but, more importantly, offer a different point of view and therefore trigger out-of-the-box thinking.
To see more of their work, head to Zeller and Moye's Instagram account.
Photos by Andreas Gehrke.
