The new headquarters for Debrunner Koenig AG marks a strategic milestone: consolidating three separate locations into one future-oriented hub in the heart of St. Gallen. Work Rebels was tasked with creating a space that honors the company’s deep roots—founded in St. Gallen in 1755—while paving the way for modern collaboration.
The goal was not merely to design a beautiful office, but to forge a space with a distinct identity and high recognition value. The new premises needed to reflect the client’s DNA—steel and metal—while adhering to a strict ecological framework. The result is a workspace where raw industrial aesthetics meet high-end circular economy.
Sustainability as a Design Driver
Breaking away from the “everything new” standard, Interior Architect Olivia Hager implemented a rigorous “Second Life” concept. Approximately 80% of the furniture consists of refurbished design classics. This approach proved that sustainability does not require compromising on aesthetics; instead, it creates a curated, timeless atmosphere that significantly reduces the project’s carbon footprint and budget without sacrificing quality.
Identity & Craftsmanship
To make the brand physically tangible, the lead architect designed bespoke steel elements that act as the spine of the office. Key features include a massive, raw steel beam at the reception and a sculptural room divider with colored glass insets. These custom pieces serve as an homage to the client’s core business, grounding the modern workspace in its industrial history.
Meeting à la Carte
The layout moves away from uniform meeting rooms towards a “psychological zoning” strategy. The design team created distinct environments tailored to specific communication goals:
The Boardroom: Designed for high-stakes decisions, featuring historic engravings, heavy textiles, and classic design to convey stability and trust.
The Focus Room: A sheltered, intimate space with soft acoustics and warm lighting. This zone is specifically designed for coaching, HR discussions, and deep-dive conversations requiring absolute discretion and psychological safety.
The Football Room: An emotional, stadium-like space designed to break down barriers, encourage playfulness, and foster creative brainstorming.
Agile Zones: Open areas with biophilic flooring and smart lighting allow for flexible collaboration.
The new headquarters demonstrates that corporate architecture can be both an identity-builder and a benchmark for resource efficiency.
Design:
Interior Architecture, Project & Site Management: Olivia Hager
Metal Construction: Leo Pfiffner
Joinery / Millwork: Authentica
Lighting Design: Prolicht
Photography:
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