WD40

Mute Modular turned WD-40’s office into a flexible space that balances focus, collaboration, and unmistakable brand identity.
  • LocationBad Homburg, Germany
  • DealerKühn Büroeinrichtungen
  • ArchitectJana Weber, Maria Szymczyk
  • IndustryMRO
  • Year2025

A new workplace chapter

WD-40 is an American brand known for producing maintenance and repair products, including penetrating oils and dust protectors. Its iconic blue and yellow can is one of those essentials most of us have at home: ready to tackle squeaky hinges and handle everyday fixes.

The company needed an environment that continuously responds to how people work, growing alongside the users. The design needed to accommodate a thoughtful variety of zones – some to support dynamic teamwork, others for focused solo tasks.

Creating the right balance of diverse spaces to focus, cooperate or hands-on work was key to helping employees stay productive and comfortable throughout the day.

Equally important was embedding the brand identity into the office. This went beyond color schemes, extending into the layout, materials, and overall atmosphere – making the space feel unmistakably WD-40, while remaining practical and flexible.

People-centered solution: Mute Modular

The project began with a close look at how the team operates – their habits, energy, and daily challenges. This insight shaped both the spatial layout and the choice of design solutions.

Thanks to its adaptable design, excellent acoustic properties, and broad customization options, Mute Modular room-in-room system proved to be the perfect fit – an ideal foundation for a workspace that is functional, meaningful, and always ready to reinvent itself.

The office features three multifunctional Mute Modular hub units, each comprising three zones measuring 3 × 1 m, 4.5 × 3 m, and 4.5 × 3 m. These zones are tailored to support various work tasks and effectively combine open and enclosed areas, accommodating a range of functions and privacy levels.

Thanks to this well-thought-out arrangement, employees can switch between settings that suit their current needs: one-person focus spots, lounge-style meeting rooms for two, collaborative spaces for 4-6 people, and larger lounge setups for less formal group interactions.

Each unit is tailor-made for WD40's current needs and spatial requirements, but is also ready to be reconfigured and adapted to new needs at any time. Built from fully compatible, interchangeable modules, all Mute Modular rooms can be easily rearranged in the future in terms of size and purpose – all while minimizing cost, waste, and CO2 emissions.

The design lies in the details

Mute Modular configurations, color choices, and fabric finishes plays a key role in shaping the overall look and feel of the space. 

To enhance ergonomics and create a cohesive style throughout the space, each unit’s interior and exterior walls are meticulously furnished with elements from the dedicated Mute Modular wall-mounted furniture set, which includes tables, shelves, hooks, and whiteboards. Thanks to the innovative no-tool mounting system, each element can be easily reconfigured and placed at any height on any wall.

Acoustic performance influenced the material selection, favoring fabric over metal panels for the outer walls to achieve better sound comfort and a more inviting aesthetic in open-space zones.

The selected color palette was tailored to complement the office interior and reinforce brand identity. The Ink Blue shade, a signature color associated with WD-40, aligned with the architect’s vision for a cohesive, recognizable environment while maintaining visual consistency.

Redefining comfort in the modern workplace

Today’s business landscape is more dynamic than ever, and office spaces need to keep up with that pace and be as dynamic as the teams using them.

Mute’s room-in-room system provided a more adaptable office setup that reflects the team’s rhythm and a welcoming place where people can connect, collaborate, and spark innovation every day.

Photos by: Nikolay Kazakov

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