Skip to content

Event

Date

Location

Description

003

Event 003

Date

20.10.2023

Location

Vitsœ Headquarters + Production Building
Leamington Spa. CV31 3NT

Description

Event 003 examines the purpose-built headquarters of Vitsœ. Like its Dieter Rams-designed furniture, the building was conceived as a universal modular system – a kit of parts. For Concrete Communities 003, a guided tour will take place, after which, all attendees are invited to stay for lunch.

Completed in 2017, the Warwickshire premises houses product-assembly, research & development, overnight accommodation, a kitchen and expansive dining space, in addition to work zones for the Vitsœ team. The health and well-being of the Vitsœ workforce is central to the building’s design. Orientated precisely north-south, its saw-tooth roof provides natural light and ventilation while generating electricity via photovoltaic panels. Artificial lighting is rarely needed during daylight hours.

The building’s structure, walls, roof, and wall-insulation are all made of wood. Vitsœ has used beech in its furniture since 1959, so it was entirely appropriate that the building’s structure is constructed of beech laminate-veneer lumber. The building was fabricated off-site. Finished components – up to 25m in length – were erected by two computer-controlled cranes. The entire structure was assembled in 23 working days.

Concrete-Communities-003-VitsoeHQ-cropped
Credit | Dirk Lindner • Vitsœ

Documenting 003

For Event 003, Concrete Communities invited guests to take part in a guided tour of the Vitsœ headquarters and production building in Leamington Spa. Tickets were secured by fans of Dieter Rams, customers of Vitsœ, design industry experts and curious members of the local community. The sold-out event was split into two tour groups – one led by Vitsœ custodian Daniel Calderbank, and the other, by Vitsœ’s managing director, Mark Adams. The event ended with a viewing of the 620 Chair exhibition and a specially-prepared lunch for all attendees. As an active production facility, photography isn’t usually allowed, but on this occasion, permission was given for both tours to be documented by Concrete Communities.

Concrete-Communities-003-JordanBunker-017
Concrete-Communities-003-JordanBunker-016
Concrete-Communities-003-JordanBunker-015
Concrete-Communities-003-JordanBunker-013
Concrete-Communities-003-JordanBunker-012
Concrete-Communities-003-JordanBunker-011
Concrete-Communities-003-JordanBunker-010
Concrete-Communities-003-JordanBunker-009
Concrete-Communities-003-JordanBunker-008
Concrete-Communities-003-JordanBunker-007
Concrete-Communities-003-JordanBunker-006
Concrete-Communities-003-JordanBunker-005
Concrete-Communities-003-JordanBunker-004
Concrete-Communities-003-JordanBunker-002
Concrete-Communities-003-JordanBunker-001
Credit | Jordan Bunker • Concrete Communities

Reviewing 003

As part of the planning process for Event 004, feedback was gathered from attendees of Event 003. Testimonials like these are essential – and help ensure that Concrete Communities remains on track in its aim to deliver (free) events that encourage conversation between the design industry and members of the public. In addition to this, there’s a determination to bring people together so they can foster new friendships and become part of the wider Concrete Community.

Concrete-Communities-003-SimonWatkins
Simon Watkins
Co-founder of Labour & Wait

•

“The day was great! I enjoyed the informality and friendliness of the event. It was great to meet so many like-minded individuals, who all shared a passion for Vitsœ. I think Concrete Communities give those with an interest, the opportunity to ‘peek behind the curtain’ at locations which may normally be out of bounds. You get a real insight into the buildings and how they work.”
Concrete-Communities-003-AlysBryan
Alys Bryan
Managing editor at Design Insider

•

“Self-initiated endeavours like Concrete Communities are exactly what we need more of. It’s creating inclusive, welcoming pathways to design, and access to spaces and conversations most people haven’t had access to before. I feel extremely lucky to have been part of the Vitsœ event – a beautifully curated tour and the chance to sit down over a delicious lunch and meet people I would never have otherwise had the joy to speak with.”
Concrete-Communities-003-AmyCooperWright
Amy Cooper-Wright
Founder of Mark+Fold

•

“As the daughter of two architects, I found the clever, technical details of the building fascinating – the wood and the vastness of the space were inspiring and very beautiful. As a Vitsœ customer, I’ve always been fascinated by the genius simplicity of the system and was curious to learn more about how it’s made. To sum up the day, I felt calm, educated, well looked-after – and well fed!”
Concrete-Communities-003-RobertWalker
Robert Walker
Founder of By Umberto

•

“Superb! Mark Adams (Vitsœ) was amazing, his encyclopaedic knowledge of the building – and the products, was incredible. His passion for production, British industry and Leamington’s geographical location was inspiring. The other guests were really nice people, with plenty to talk about regarding architecture, design, art – and everything in between. Day’s like this top up my soul. I felt part of something bigger that day. Part of a community.”