New IT-Campus for the Schwarz Group with 5,500 workspaces
Client: Schwarz Immobilien Service GmbH & Co. KG
General planning: JSWD
Facade Consulting and statics: Werner Sobek
Completion 1st Construction Stage 2026
Landscape planning: LAND Germany
Photos: Franco Casaccia / JSWD, vis: bloomimages
The property of the office campus is located along a busy highway. To the north lies a residential area, while to the south it overlooks the industrial park of the neighboring city of Neckarsulm. The first construction phase, designed by JSWD, has recently been completed and provides 5,500 workspaces.
The seven polygonal buildings with their rounded corners are arranged like large petals within the varied topography of the landscape. Stepping down from six to three stories toward the residential area, the buildings are connected by a continuous, highly transparent base structure. This also screens the central green zone of the campus, which is reserved for staff as a place to meet, exchange ideas, and relax.
Terraced parking levels open toward the valley, forming a plateau on which the buildings are positioned. Their arrangement creates clearly defined entrance bays, each assigned a specific function. The main entrance, service access, and staff entrances are given clear and attractive approaches, while the conference area and staff restaurant are accessed via the main entrance.
The architecture achieves a strong relationship to the surrounding landscape through both the urban layout and organization of the buildings as well as through the distinctive glass facade. The vertically articulated, metal-framed building envelope follows the outer contours of the volumes. In collaboration with Werner Sobek, JSWD reduced the facade to a single element consisting of floor-to-ceiling fixed glazing with a narrow operable sash set in the offset zone, allowing for natural ventilation of the interior spaces.
The spacious main foyer is reached via gently stepped paths. A facade of locally sourced dolomite rock extends from the exterior into the interior, connecting landscape and building. The topography continues inside in the form of a forum-like arrangement of seating steps leading to the campus restaurant. Architecture and interior design merge seamlessly. Generous planting structures the space into smaller seating areas while also improving the air quality. Materials such as oak, colored stainless steel, and solid labradorite generate a vivid palette. Daylight enters through openings in the vaulted ceiling. Dining is possible both indoors and on the patio with views of the valley.
The open office areas offer a balance of collaboration and focused work. Warm colors create a calm and pleasant atmosphere, while so-called “marketplaces” serve as central meeting points.
The media room, accessible to all, features glazed side facades and can be fully darkened as needed. It accommodates up to 400 people.
The gym is defined by a raw ceiling painted deep black with exposed technical elements, giving it an urban character. Colorful partitions guide views and circulation.
The on-site day care center provides care for around 280 children. Its imaginative play landscape is designed in bright colors that encourage playful exploration. An adjacent green area allows for outdoor play and movement.
Most flat roofs are intensively planted and irrigated via several rainwater cisterns and a central lake, while other roof areas are equipped with photovoltaic systems.
According to the open-space concept developed by JSWD in collaboration with LAND, half of the 15.5-hectare site remains a sustainably designed green space. Among other things, over 3,000 trees were planted. Rainwater is stored in two cisterns with a total capacity of 2,100 square meters and used to irrigate the green spaces. In collaboration with the Lower Nature Conservation Authority of the City of Bad Friedrichshall, compensatory areas were also created.
The Future Campus is powered in a resource-efficient manner using, among other things, photovoltaics and a combined heat and power plant.
In the spring of 2026, the first construction phase, comprising approximately 3,000 office workstations, became operational. The large media hall, the restaurant, the fitness area, and the daycare center were also completed. The entire underground parking garage was also finished. Two additional office buildings remain to be built as part of the second construction phase.