Choosing the right materials
Timber details and acoustic solutions were so well received in the Madrid space that they were also reflected throughout this workplace in Warsaw. Cladded in timber, the welcome desk lies behind the client area which sits beneath acoustic baffles to create a calming and welcoming first impression for guests. Sound absorbing wall panels cloaked as pieces of artwork are displayed throughout the office in meeting rooms to support wellbeing, managing reverberation control in the hope of boosting productivity in the office. Noise absorbing light fittings also inhabit the rooms as functional decorative pieces, providing the answer to a work environment with better acoustics without sacrificing design aesthetics.
A distinctive element of this design, which sets it apart from Astellas Pharma’s other workplaces, is the exposed concrete ceiling. This feature is part of the business complex’s design and must be retained across the entire building to preserve its industrial feel. Sound controlling baffles were installed into the ceilings, primarily to heighten acoustic performance but in doing so, also enhancing the design of the space.
Welcoming new spaces
The whole floor consists of a mixture of boardrooms, open spaces, phone booths, focus areas and collaboration zones, supported by five storage rooms which were crucial for this office. The layout has been designed to encourage and support the various needs of each colleague, depending on the activity. The purpose of the private focus rooms is so they can be used as individual offices by colleagues when needed, and reverting to an available shared space when not in use.In the original plans, the kitchen was designed to sit on one side of the office. After communicating with the landlord and realising there were connectivity issues in that section of the building, the area had to be reimagined. The design team saw this as an opportunity to deliberate and rethink how the kitchen would best be placed with the aim of ensuring the growth of peer relationships within the workforce. After being restructured and newly positioned in the centre of the floorplate, the communal kitchen is now the beating heart of the office. The remodeled space not only functions as a kitchenette for mornings and lunchtimes but also as a breakout area to encourage collaboration between colleagues, even during downtimes.
