House of Good Beers
Radeberger Group, Bad Vilbel, Competition Entry 2009

Bad Vilbel, a vibrant small town north of Frankfurt, was chosen as the new headquarters of the Radeberger Group. At the same time, plans were made to build new brewery facilities for Binding and Henninger in the newly designated industrial park.

Expectations for the design were high and multifaceted. They encompassed all dimensions of modern buildings: building efficiency, ecology and sustainability, aesthetic appeal with a positive impact on brand image (corporate identity), and functionality as the flagship location for a whole range of beer brands belonging to Germany’s largest private brewery group, part of Dr. August Oetker KG.

The spatial arrangement of the buildings also had to ensure optimal access, delivery routes, and parking for the various functions of the complex, encompassing production, administration, and supply. And last but not least, all employees were to be able to enjoy modern workplaces, both inside and out.

The wall surfaces of the brewery buildings presented challenging conditions for the form and volume of the « House of Good Beers. » The architectural design of the office building had to clearly assert itself against the mass of the planned brewery. At the same time, it was also intended to project a confident presence from a distance.

We solved this challenge by creating a physical connection with the brewery without compromising the elegant, distinctive character of the office building in front, which retains the qualities of a high-quality, standalone structure. Our design incorporated the soft corners of the technical building envelopes, stylistically incorporating them into the office building’s independent appearance. This also clearly identifies the building as the head of the brewery.

The result is not a detached headquarters, but a unified complex that speaks a common architectural language throughout. The new location evokes a sense of belonging for all employees. Externally, the Radeberger Group presents itself as a strong, forward-looking brewery group.

The access layout is adapted to the specified usage scheme. The main entrance is located on the east side, with prominent access from the parking areas and the central green space. The executive board has VIP parking spaces and can reach their respective floors directly via the main entrance or the access to the conference rooms.

Services for the laboratories, pilot plant, kitchen, and restaurant with café and bistro are handled on the west side of the administration building. The building is connected to the production area via two walkways at elevations of 5.00 m and 8.00 m. Visitors and employees also use these walkways to access the production area, the brewing circuit, and the brewhouse, after having toured the laboratories and pilot plant on the ground floor.