An Extraordinary Riot of Colour: The Autodesk Office at the Heart of the Szkieletor
The Kraków Szkieletor needs no special introduction. It waited nearly 45 years to open its doors. During that time it was the subject of many architectural disputes and vested interests, as well as a prominent “hanger” for advertisements. It inevitably became one of the more recognisable places on the city’s map. Completely transformed, it now forms the central point of Kraków’s Unity Centre – the largest, multi-functional business centre of the Małopolska capital. It is precisely here, at the address Lubomirskiego 2, that the office of the international corporation Autodesk found its home.
Colourful Net Effect
The original assumption was to create interiors in an industrial style – bright spaces creating an atmosphere conducive to work. The Design Group designers proposed a slight modification of the style to modern industrial – the interiors were warmed with wood and vivid colours. Everything started with Autodesk’s own graphics, which imposed on the designers the colour palette of furniture and decorative, bent cut-and-stretched steel mesh (mesh) spread across ceilings and partly on walls.
A preview of the colour palette and style of the office appears already in the lift lobby. An interesting, four-dimensional structure referring to the Autodesk logo, made from mesh, in the form of a huge letter A reaching almost to the ceiling. “The biggest design challenge in the Kraków Autodesk office was the coordination of the ceiling elements. Apart from the visible installations, the lighting and mesh are also important here. Thanks to the commitment and coordination of many people’s work, we managed to achieve the intended effect, which was to emphasise the mesh and ceiling geometry with lighting – emphasises Marta Konarska, the architect responsible for the Autodesk office concept.” Net Effect has definitely become the leitmotif of the office. “Many people contributed to the final appearance of the Kraków Autodesk office. The client himself was also very involved – we could count on his help and constructive feedback – admits architect Konrad Krusiewicz, founder and CEO of The Design Group.”
In the Rhythm of the City
The investor was very keen for the office to reflect the urban fabric of Kraków – Autodesk strives to maintain the atmosphere of a given city in each of its offices around the world. “The client was open from the start to working with artists. Photographs and murals referring to famous Kraków landmarks can be admired throughout the office – emphasises arch. Marta Konarska.” In the staff kitchen there is a mural depicting only half of one of Kraków’s buildings. Its other half can be found in the reflection of a huge mirror adjacent to it. The mirror in turn is intended to optically enlarge the kitchen and lengthen the tribune found within it.
Multi-functionality Friendly to Employees
The Design Group designers also ensured the functionality and flexibility of the space, allowing it to be quickly adapted to the current needs of users. The kitchen, separated by a curtain from the chillout zone, can serve not only for rest and eating, but also for calling whole-team meetings. A projector has been installed in the kitchen, and the veneered table can be converted into a billiard table. Employees use the open space, but also have at their disposal smaller and larger separate rooms and a room with a treadmill, which they can even use during business telephone conversations.
Stream Area
The individual rooms of the office are distinguished by colour. Additionally, the designers delineated a space called the stream area. Employees can here not only recharge their energy on a comfortable sofa or in armchairs, but also in smaller groups discuss presentations, conduct a brainstorming session and record ideas on whiteboards. “The office we designed is very distinctive, yet also tailored to the client’s needs. Many elements were made to special order. Throughout the office, one can encounter a variety of textures, colours and finishes – but ultimately everything was combined into a coherent whole – adds arch. Marta Konarska.”
