THE PILLBOX HUB - gisbertpoeppler.com

THE PILLBOX HUB

The colorful office chairs that Gisbert Pöppler placed in his latest office project in Iserlohn, Germany, are reminiscent of brightly coated pills in a box. They introduce a playful lightness to an otherwise clearly structured office floor, developed for “MEDICE – The Health Family.” These chairs, in muted shades of red, blue, and green, add subtle accents and break up the strict geometry of the office layout. Yet it is precisely this contrast that allows them to perfectly integrate into the overall concept of the “Pillbox Hub” – a space that fosters both flexibility and precision.

After 1.5 years of planning and construction, the result is a space with 48 workstations, 26 of which operate on a flying desk principle. Glass boxes, lined up like small cabins, structure the floor while keeping it open and permeable. It’s a place for focused work, communication, and creative thinking – all with a view of the wooded hills of the Sauerland region.

“The challenge in the planning process was the great depth of the hall, which originally served as a packaging area for pharmaceuticals,” says Gisbert Pöppler. “We addressed this by arranging a row of double workstations along the façade. Open desks are placed directly by the windows, followed by offices with transparent walls. This clear structure minimizes dark core zones and ensures that every workstation has an unobstructed view outside.”

The choice of materials enhances the lightness of the space and creates a harmonious atmosphere. Acoustic ceilings made of oak, wall panels, and doors in matte-oiled oak bring warmth, while wool carpets dampen sound and lend a tactile quality to the rooms. The glass partition system is not only functional but also an aesthetic element that promotes transparency and openness. A central yet subtle design detail is a light blue shadow gap that runs through the entire space, providing a quiet rhythm and structure. The color concept draws on MEDICE’s corporate colors but has been modified and softened with more subdued, harmonious tones.

Images by Ewan Cashman