This new company headquarters shows Zedler’s holistic approach in terms of sustainability: The energy-efficient building with a large photovoltaic system on the roof not only includes modern offices, but also a training and seminar area with integrated bicycle museum on three floors, a bicycle parking with 42 spaces including charging facilities for e-bikes and a large terrace with view on the orchard meadow created for the building. According to VSF Managing Director Albert Herresthal in his laudatio, company founder and owner Dirk Zedler would realize with this exemplary building an ethical vision going far beyond functionality and aesthetics. It were an impressing statement of the change in energy and transport policy and a good example to show how companies could make a contribution to environmentally aware and sustainable life and work, just in line with the original Swabian motto ‘Don’t talk, just do it’.
With the new company headquarters Dirk Zedler had implemented an environmentally friendly construction with impressive determination and combined it with the cultural element important to him. Herresthal continues that Zedler’s enthusiasm were dedicated to the development and the quality assurance of bicycles; by creating a suitable framework for his team at the same time he would spark their enthusiasm as well and ensure the further development of this enthusiasm. The particularly impressing thing to the jury were the entrepreneurship to think big and to implement the own convictions so consequently. The result is a comprehensive one, apart from resource efficiency, energy generation and building biology it is also the atmospheric, cultural and aesthetic issue which is taken seriously. Their expansion had been a necessity due to the very good order situation and reflected at the same time that the cycle sector would become more professional. The step to invest in a communicative area with an added value for the entire sector had been a matter of heart to him. With regard to the award Dirk Zedler states that the “VSF-Ethikpreis” would motivate them still more to continue the further development of this concept with the fullest vigour.