The family business Dr. Bronner’s still follows the vision of its founder Emanuel Bronner and has been producing Fair Trade and organic certified natural soaps and organic cosmetics of the highest quality for 3 generations. The company uses its profits to improve the world through responsible production and dedicated activism. These ideals also explain the high social and environmental commitment of this unconventionally successful business.
The Bronner family has acquired the original family and company headquarters in Laupheim and now wants to put it to a meaningful use – an information centre about Dr. Bronner’s will be built in the basement and a residential community for people with disabilities will move into the upper floors. Teamwerk Architekten from Munich won the competition for the conversion, renovation and extension of the building.
FRENER & REIFER was commissioned with the planning and realisation of the architecturally striking building envelope. The honeycomb-shaped supporting structure with glazing is designed to reinterpret the theme of “soapsuds” in the facade construction. In addition, the founder’s messages of peace are to be visualised on the glass panes.
“The family-owned company Dr. Bronner’s demonstrates an inspirational commitment to high social and ecological standards. We are delighted to be able to work with visionary clients with such sustainable values,” says Dr Andrea Borgato, CEO of FRENER & REIFER Holding AG. “This gives us the opportunity as a supplier to put our aspiration to provide unique and sustainable solutions into practice by making our contribution to a special project with a special message. We are proud to be on board.”