Moving into fully modernized headquarters on DIN-Platz.

DIN e.V.

Berlin
Location

800
Workstations

2016–2021
Project period

33.000 m² BGF
Usable space

After two and a half years of extensive renovation work on its headquarters, Deutsche Institut für Normung e. V. (DIN) moved back out of its temporary space on Saatwinkler Damm in Berlin Tegel and into its own building at Burggrafenstrasse 6 in August 2021.

The building is located right near Zoo of Berlin. The renovation work covered 33,000 m² in all and offers modern, sustainable space with a forward-looking activity-based environment.

combine advised the DIN Group on matters of real estate strategy, workplace planning, and change management.

The decision to renovate the headquarters on DIN-Platz was preceded by a feasibility study and business case, both supported by combine. These two steps demonstrated the feasibility of new workplace concepts in this location and formed a solid basis for coordination with the bodies in the DIN Group.

Today, open office spaces in contemporary design provide new opportunities for project-oriented, collaborative, and creative work for DIN’s approximately 800 employees. These spaces improve communication by creating new ways for people to come together and at the same time providing quiet enclosed places for focused work. To conceptualize the new working environments, combine performed a needs and requirements analysis as well as building analysis and put these into action in its workplace planning activities.

The building renovation is an outward sign of all the change that has been taking place within our organization in recent years, which is still an ongoing process. The rapid advance of digital technologies is changing what our customers need, from application of standards to the development and updating of existing standards on subjects like AI and the circular economy. Industry lines are becoming blurred, and connection and collaboration are growing ever more important. Our goal with the open, flexible spatial concept is to support more dialogue, interaction, and project work without neglecting our employees’ pronounced need for concentration and quiet. And, of course, a workplace with modern amenities is a key selling point in recruiting fresh talent. According to the initial feedback we’ve received from the staff, we’ve made great strides in that respect.

– Daniel Schmidt, member of the board of DIN e. V.

A key element of the change management process ...

was working with the building ambassadors as a link to the staff and teams.

Before the new working environments were implemented, the DIN Group faced the challenge that the future activity-based workplace environment would be fundamentally different from the cubicles that had been typical until then. With this in mind, the deep-seated changes this brought in terms of communication, cooperation, and leadership culture were placed at the heart of professional change management activities that started in 2018, also with support from combine.

Ambassador process.

For change management purposes, an ambassador process was established as an ongoing link between the construction project and the employees. Representatives from each team met for regular workshops to discuss issues relating to the new DIN working environment. Innovative methods such as virtual reality environments that made people able to virtually walk around in their new working environments helped them to get ready.