After exploring the area from above from the airplane window, Norbert Sprenger changes to a hot air balloon to land in front of the entrance to the company complex. „Amazing,“ he says when he finally takes off the virtual reality (VR) glasses. „I have just seen the future.“ The engineer is one of the ten employees who experienced an exclusive VR tour of the „grEEn-campus“ – the future Opel headquarters in Rüsselsheim. A huge Opel Blitz in the courtyard, the impressive reception portal in bright yellow – „it’s going to be spectacular,“ he concludes.

This VR experience was made possible by Pierre-Olivier Garcia’s team. He is responsible for Opel’s brand design. Together with Daniele Martini and Mike Berger in his team, he designs the new headquarters as a virtual 3D model. The database was created together with the designs of the architects of the VGP company. In the Opel Design VR Cave, they can already be experienced today. „Even if not every detail is final yet, you get a good feeling for what’s coming,“ says Garcia. What is coming is: short distances, lots of greenery, iconic architecture, a working environment that creates space for ideas and exchange. „What distinguishes our models also applies to the ‚grEEn-campus‘ – a bold appearance with a clear focus on sustainability,“ emphasises the brand specialist.

On the 105,000 square metre site – located on Mainzer Strasse next to Gate 60 – an administration building, a research and development complex, a design centre and a multi-storey car park are being built facing each other. The future heart of the brand will be bundled in the so-called „Opel Triangle“, and the Stellantis Germany complex will follow it. “So saying goodbye to the Adam Opel Haus won’t be too difficult,” admits Kiyomi Mitschke after her 3D tour. When the current headquarters at Rugbyring was completed in 1997, she had just joined the company. After almost 30 years, the time is ripe for a new beginning, she thinks.

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The „grEEn-campus“ in Rüsselsheim is an essential part of Opel and Stellantis‘ strategy to be CO₂-neutral by 2038. The „EE“ in „grEEn-campus“ stands for Stellantis‘ commitment to the environment and its employees. The company headquarters is to become much more than just a place to work: tomorrow’s jobs are being created – environmentally friendly and fully compatible with the new hybrid and flexible ways of working on site or remotely. All colleagues are invited to make suggestions and wishes for their future workplace.

What’s more: „This here,“ says Katharina König, pointing to a visualisation of the green landscape park, „motivates and makes you want to visit our new headquarters.“ On her virtual tour, she strolls through the green campus that connects the building complexes. There is a pond, many seating options, trees provide shade. Pierre-Olivier Garcia points to bricks embedded in the ground. They will come from previous Opel buildings that will be demolished. Because: The future also needs a past.

„I saw solar panels on the roofs,“ says Simon Friesenecker, who is particularly interested in the aspects that make the „grEEn-campus“ project CO₂-neutral. The photovoltaic systems are intended to cover the electricity requirements of the office buildings, and the complex can be operated in a climate-neutral manner thanks to renewable energy generation. The buildings are air-conditioned with the help of heat pumps, and the green areas are irrigated with rainwater.

„I was very curious about this digital event,“ Jörg Kruse reveals. Especially since the first effects of the new building are already being felt. Parking areas along Mainzer Strasse will be closed in March, and the first construction site areas will be set up there. The engineer responsible for calibrating the measurement technology puts on the VR glasses, tilts his head back, studies the green façade of his future workplace, enters the bright foyer and explores the open offices. „I can hardly wait for work to start,“ he says. He will not have to wait much longer: The first employees are due to move into the Rüsselsheim „grEEn-campus“ by the end of 2026.