The kitchen as a statement of corporate philosophy. The shop on the ground floor of an old building in Berlin-Charlottenburg is a real eye-catcher. Formerly known as a metal goods store and later as a bike shop, it now houses the digital compact team - Germany's largest label for business and digital podcasts. Company founder and industry expert Joël Kaczmarek is the head of it all and a real source of inspiration. The kitchen as a statement of the company's philosophy.He proves this not only in his successful productions, but also in matters of interior design. The corporate culture is reflected in every detail of the hip office - the kitchen area in particular makes a statement here. "For me, digitization means: 'I come from something old and go into something new'", says Joël Kaczmarek. This is reflected in the corporate philosophy as well as in the premises: modern meets tried and tested - also in the kitchen design. The starting point in the planning was the Noodles buffets with plenty of space for dishes, cereal cans, recipe books and other accessories. These two kitchen shelves made of white painted natural steel with wooden elements were love at first sight and an absolute must-have for the company founder. “The transparent cabinet elements, however, force you to be tidy,” he remarks with a wink.” The trendy modules of the kitchen unit by Noodles in bright red harmonize very well with the Smeg stainless steel appliances. Noodles kitchen furnishings are high quality, handcrafted and therefore built to last. White Metro tiles on the wall and patterned floor tiles in the English style, which perfectly match the charm of the old Charlottenburg building, create a harmonious counterpoint. If you look closely, you will understand why the overall picture of the kitchen results in such a coherent overall concept: In addition to the quality furniture, there are many small details that make the magic. For example, the red color of the Noodles kitchen front can be found on the sockets and light switches as well as on the table and chairs from the manufacturer Vitra. The chain link fence design of the buffets is also repeated several times and serves, among other things, as a holder for kitchen utensils and photos - the "Hall of Fame" from digital compact. The kitchen as a living space and meeting point For Joël Kaczmarek, the kitchen is a living space that can be enjoyed with all of the senses. This also includes being close to nature. When guests enter the room, their gaze falls first on the extraordinary kitchenette and then usually wanders upwards to the tropical plants of the AIRY company. They filter the air through their leaves and roots, on the one hand making a lasting contribution to the healthy indoor climate and on the other hand bringing the high ceilings of the old building to full advantage. A water refinement system was also installed for special enjoyment. The stainless steel faucet from the Swedish company Nivito is connected to two separate sources and emits either normal tap water or filtered "revitalized" water. The coffee tastes twice as good. Christian Geyr, one of the founders of Noodles Corp., also contributed his experience. The planning and implementation by Joël Kaczmarek with communication designer Anne Krieger from Leipzig and the craft company BOS-Design from Berlin makes him rave: "We were personally impressed by how consistently our furniture in combination with the Smeg appliances, the ceramic sink from Villeroy & Boch and the Leogant water refinement system, the typical Authentic Kitchen setup has been newly and progressively staged." Kitchen with style - from coffees to dinners The employees of digital compact enjoy the time out in the kitchen. Once a week they also go to the market to cook with fresh ingredients afterwards - team building at its best. The podcast guests also appreciate the space and are happy to have a coffee or a delicious muesli. In a relaxed atmosphere, they quickly get into a chatty mood. But that's not all: The creative company founder has other plans. His final goal in the kitchen concept is a chef who not only provides the whole team with healthy meals at lunchtime, but also offers the to-go option for the evening. In addition, a dinner series is being planned - perfect for the new podcast format “Art meets Digital”, in which the exchange with prominent artists is on the program. Without question, the kitchen makes a real statement and underlines the corporate identity of the company. Looking back, Kaczmarek feels that the successful combination of design, functionality and personal touch is particularly important. He is convinced that successful kitchen planning is also the result of a good dose of openness, curiosity and willingness to work - because there is no off-the-shelf individuality. Text by: Tara Riedman