The Clariant Office at Łódź’s Monopolis: Design by The Design Group
At Łódź’s Monopolis, within the historic walls of the former Vodka Monopoly, the office of the Swiss chemical corporation Clariant has been created. The interior arrangement was designed by the Warsaw studio The Design Group.
At Łódź’s Monopolis, a multi-functional complex realised on the site of the former Vodka Monopoly to a design by Grupa 5 Architekci in collaboration with the Łódź studio of Jerzy Lutomski, the Shared Service Centre of Clariant has recently been established. This is a realisation of The Design Group studio, which specialises in creating office interiors and architectural consultancy for commercial investments. The Clariant company’s headquarters occupies two floors in the Monopolis complex – a total of over 4,300 sqm.
The Clariant Office – Industrial Atmosphere at Monopolis
Cast-iron stairs with embossings that still recall the beginnings of the Vodka Manufacture lead to the company’s premises. The industrial atmosphere of the interior, emphasised by the original brick walls, muted colours and wooden veneer, has been complemented by photo wallpapers on which, among other things, reproductions of the works of great painters can be found. In total, there are almost 80 of them here. The architects also used elements of greenery, introduced in the form of a so-called living wall, which is designed not only to decorate but also to purify the air.
One cannot overlook the arrangement elements that directly refer to the Swiss roots of the brand. “We wanted the project to refer to the Swiss style, even in elements such as lighting and light fittings – says Emilia Wójcicka, designer from The Design Group, responsible for the interior concept of the Clariant office. – For example, in the kitchen there are lamps that we designed so as to resemble massive shepherd’s bells. Some of the light fittings, on the other hand, come from recycling – these are post-factory lamps made of thick, artisanal glass – adds Ewelina Mężyńska from The Design Group.”
Employees have at their disposal a spacious open space, and individual offices are delineated by glass walls. Numerous conference rooms, relaxation zones, coffee points, as well as silent room spaces – small, glazed cubicles – are also found here. Safety is supported by advanced OHS solutions, such as projectors with information about low ceilings and a secure door handle system, warning with colour about bathroom doors opening onto the corridor.
