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experimentation with new working methods and the refinement of processes to help define what will
best suit a future citizens’ office. The pilot area allows testing of different usage scenarios, with practical
evaluations by both staff and, eventually, citizens. In collaboration with INpuls, the Landratsamt deve-
loped a concept that creates a dynamic environment for employees and citizens alike. Core questions
included: What processes need to change to meet current societal needs, leverage digital progress effici-
Beratungsraum •
ently and be optimally inclusive? How can these new processes be spatially interpreted and supported? Consultation room
“Creating spaces that optimise processes for both public officials and citizens was crucial to us. The pilot WC • Beratungsraum •
WC Consultation room
area should exude inclusivity and safety, ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, gender or
other factors, feels comfortable,” explained Sabrina Tafelmeier, partner and project lead at INpuls, who,
along with an interdisciplinary team, developed a requirement profile outlining guidelines for human-
centred design in the public sector. Important aspects like access, security and respect were discussed Innovationsfläche • Beratungscafé • •
af
é
Ber
sc
atung
and translated spatially. Innovation area xxxxxonsultation café
C
Testing areas and experimental fields: space for trials
The pilot area is divided into two sections, functioning as a testing and experimental field. The testing Team Raum •
Fokusiertes
area offers New Work-inspired workspaces for staff, while the experimental area includes rooms dedi- Arbeiten • Team room
Focused work
cated to innovation and consultation. Here, citizens are invited to experience cooperative and inclusive
consultation scenarios. A consultation café softens the formal office atmosphere, where citizens can
wait in an informal setting and access information at digital stations. Workshops and creative sessions Lager • Kommunikation •
for employees and citizens take place in the innovation room. Every six months, different departments Storage area Communication
move into the new pilot area to see which setups enhance their work. The testing area offers various Meeting •
Meeting
room configurations, from quiet work niches to large tables for teamwork and collaboration. A key
aspect of the testing area is the connection between digitalisation and personal consultation. Digital
service points aim to streamline administrative processes for everyone, with public officials on hand to Ruhiges Arbeiten •
assist with these technologies. This approach fosters a citizen-centred environment that is easy to navi- Quiet work
Kollaboratives
gate and builds trust. Furthermore, the integration of digital solutions with personal support allows ser- Arbeiten •
Collaborative work
vices to be customised to citizens’ needs, increasing efficiency and ensuring no one is left behind in the
digital shift. The value of this approach lies in bridging technological progress and human interaction,
ultimately leading to a more inclusive and accessible administration. Additionally, it’s essential to have Workshop •
Workshop
spaces for private consultations at varying levels of discretion. Many citizens have sensitive issues that
require a confidential, personal atmosphere. These spaces not only protect privacy but also foster trust
between citizens and officials, leading to more effective and empathetic support. A key element of the Grundriss • Floor plan
project is the involvement of both citizens and employees. Their feedback provides valuable insights into
the pilot’s practicality. Each room and function is assessed based on how well it supports participants „Neues Arbeiten“ im historischen Bestand • „New Working“ in the historical inventory
in their daily routines. At the start of each rotation, employees are introduced to the pilot area’s features
and are guided through the testing phase by designated team leaders. At the end of each turn, feedback
workshops are held with architects and planners to validate the design elements, ensuring that the deve-
loped concepts are both practical and user-friendly, with long-term acceptance in mind. This iterative
process fosters continuous improvement, ultimately leading to a spatial concept that proves its value in
practice. The developed “space manual” is intended to become the foundation for future administrative
buildings – not only in Freising – and serves as a model for a flexible, user-centred and resource-efficient
administration concept. Beyond the functional aspects, conscious and sustainable use of the area, limi-
ted to a lifespan of just five years, was crucial. The rooms in the listed Stabskaserne have been treated
as a kind of shell, where lighting, ceiling elements, installations and furniture can all be reused. Carefully
designed structures and technical details create a “room-within-a-room” effect and a second layer of
installations, which allows the original structure to remain largely untouched. Colours indicate usage
zones: translucent fabrics in the colours of Freising’s coat of arms highlight areas for employees (blue)
and citizens (red). A modular wooden meander system, stained in a palette of skin tones, is a defining
feature of the pilot area’s design. The meander is designed so that its modular components, in the form
of stools, tables and storage units, can be repurposed after the project’s completion.

Setting a Benchmark for Future Construction

Experiences from Freising’s “Citizens’ Office of the Future” pilot will shape plans for future projects.
A model administration that is both more digital and people-centred is taking shape. Through an
interplay of security, transparency, inclusivity and advanced technology, an administrative world
is created that serves both employees and citizens, setting an example for other district offices.
Sincere thanks go to the Landratsamt Freising for its courage to innovate. Whether a new building
or an extension will follow at the end of the five-year test phase is still undecided, but as Sabrina
Tafelmeier notes, “This pilot project demonstrates how the future can be redesigned. Social proces-
ses can be redefined collaboratively. As interior architects, we have the potential to provide these
processes with the space they need to unfold.”

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