Our study group in Aachen visited the headquarters of BET (Buro fur Engergiewirshaft und Techniche Planung GhmB), a group of 40+ energy consultants and economists. BET’s offices are carved out of the interior of a 150 year-old church.
This space was created with collaboration in mind. Two levels of easily-accessible individual offices behind big windows invite visitors inside.
There’s a fancy espresso bar near in front of where the altar once stood. The main aisle contains a couple of conversation pods.
Walk up the stairs in the tower until your legs ache, and you arrive at a brainstorming space set up with a flip chart, fancy sofa, soft drinks, and a small glass table.
We looked out over the rooftops of Aachen. The full moon was visible over little wisps of pink cloud. What a luscious place to work.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Jay, I am so happy that you have such a great travel budget (and that you are also a pretty good photographer), otherwise I would never see some of the cool places you visit. I have one question: If a coffee bar has replaced the altar in this church, does that mean Starbucks has finally taken control of the planet?
Rex, sorry to take the wind out of your sails on this, but the German Federal Ministry of Education is putting hundreds of millions of Euros into this project, a few of which paid for my plane fare and hotel room. And the photos come from $147 Casio Exilim pocket cam. Thanks for the compliment on the photography; I’m trying to learn. As for Starbucks, no, we are witnessing the counter-trend: we don’t need no stinking Starbucks. I noted a few closed (former) Starbucks on my travels this time.
I would love to work in an office like that, great view, awesome interiors