Friendly High Tech and Functionality in the project44 Office
While the future of work demands that companies adapt to dynamic changes, one of the most important aspects is the design of innovative and inspiring office interiors. In this context, a remarkable example of an innovative approach is the project44 office in Krakow, created in collaboration with the Warsaw design team The Design Group.
Diverse Experiences
Project44 is a leading provider of supply chain visibility solutions on a global scale. The company serves a wide network of carriers, freight forwarders and other supply chain participants, so the priority was to design a space that would reflect the brand’s professionalism and also foster collaboration and the creation of innovative ideas. Project44 opted for a new office in the Fabryczna Office Park B4 building, located at Aleja Pokoju 18 in Krakow. It occupies two floors with a total area of 2,800 sqm. The project44 company decided to collaborate with the renowned The Design Group architectural practice to design the interiors of its new office.
The designers focused on creating a space that not only reflects the brand’s professionalism, but also fosters collaboration and the generation of innovative ideas. The layout of the new office was precisely planned to maximise efficiency, with designated areas for teamwork, brainstorming and individual work.
– The project44 company was keen to provide employees with diverse workplace experiences that promote efficiency and employee satisfaction. We therefore divided the space into communal zones, chillout areas, meeting rooms, open space with greenery and the so-called dark zone. Our proposed office layout encourages greater interaction, creativity and improves overall wellbeing in the workplace. – explains architect Konrad Krusiewicz, CEO of The Design Group.
Bearing in mind the fact that project44 employs a large number of engineers for whom regular onboarding is conducted, the designers were tasked with creating a specially technologically adapted training room. In addition to advanced IT/AV systems enabling effective communication on an international scale, this space also contains mobile furniture. There is therefore the possibility of immediately changing the layout of the interior depending on the needs of a given group of employees.
Walking through the project44 office, it is impossible not to notice the numerous screens hanging on the walls of the main corridors. They constitute an integral part of the interior design, enabling the convenient display of information and news for employees. This solution supports communication processes in the office, creating an effective and dynamic work atmosphere.
In turn, on the visual axes of the office and at the entrances to the office surface, special seating was designed, serving as buffer zones and creating additional places for informal meetings – both business and social ones. They also serve as a kind of oasis in the office, where employees can also pause for a moment, take a break from the computer monitor and rest.
The aforementioned dark zone occupies 1/3 of one floor and encompasses a conference room and two open spaces. This space is characterised by a dark colour palette, a separate type of lighting and black whiteboards. The use of a special Fade system allowed the designers to create a uniform surface enabling decorative cut-outs of the desired, rounded shape. In the dark zone, the colour navy blue was used, which creates an exceptional atmosphere, while in the remaining parts of the office (with the exception of the kitchen) white predominates, adding freshness and brightness to the spaces. This precise and aesthetic play of colours fits perfectly into the project44 office interior design, creating a harmonious and stylish workspace.
In the project44 office, traditional coffee points were replaced by spacious kitchens, tasked with encouraging employees to eat meals together and interact. One of them also serves as a venue for town halls, i.e. important management meetings with the participation of the entire team. Just as in the training room, all furniture in this kitchen is mobile (on wheels), enabling easy adaptation of the entire space to a given event. This spacious room was also equipped with sets of screens with an AV system, enabling the Krakow office to connect with other groups of project44 employees from around the world. High quality sound for all participants is provided by speakers strategically distributed across the entire ceiling surface.
Furthermore, the project44 company decided to create an external terrace for employees, which is an extension of this kitchen. It serves as a recreational and relaxation space. It is an ideal place for resting, conversations in an informal atmosphere and organising company events. What is more, the doors between the terrace and the kitchen were deliberately designed as sliding, to create the impression of one cohesive surface, harmoniously combining these two spaces. This solution ensures a free flow between interior and exterior.
Friendly High Tech
The project44 office project is distinguished by a modern style that harmoniously combines aesthetics, functionality and innovative solutions. The architectural concept of the space was created to provide users with an inspiring environment that stimulates creativity and innovation.
Marta Konarska from The Design Group, interior architect of the project44 office, emphasises:
– During the design of the project44 office, we focused on creating a space that represents an unconventional approach to work and promotes efficiency. We were keen to create a modern yet welcoming atmosphere, so we used minimalist forms and light colours complemented by brand navy blue, which gives the interiors a distinctive character and creates a cohesive company image.
An important source of inspiration for the designers from The Design Group was also the shape of the building itself.
– We wanted to create something delicate in this project, pleasant to the eye, and to avoid the straight angles typical of the high-tech style. We drew inspiration from the building itself, whose shape became the canvas for this project. That is precisely why many curves can be found in the office, which introduce a certain softness to the interiors. We also opted for wood-effect finishes of aluminium profiles, which give the spaces warmth and a natural feel. The result is an office in a style we described as friendly high-tech. – explains Natalia Sztandor from The Design Group, interior architect of the project44 office.
At the entrance to the project44 office, particular attention is drawn to the milky glass wall with the company logo on display, behind which lush greenery can be seen. The entire reception interior is maintained in a cohesive, warm colour scheme, making the space convey an impression of elegance and professionalism.
Sustainable Working Comfort
Sustainable development in the project44 office is supported by the highest quality lighting. Bearing in mind that traditional lighting, such as incandescent bulbs and fluorescent lights, consumes a significant amount of energy (which translates into higher electricity bills and a negative environmental impact), the architects proposed the most modern, energy-efficient LED solutions. This type of lighting enables a significant reduction in energy consumption – by as much as 80%. Moreover, LEDs generate less heat and do not contain harmful substances. Thanks to the extended lifespan of this lighting, the costs associated with its maintenance and replacement are significantly lower, which translates into a reduced carbon footprint. What is more, LEDs have an excellent colour rendering index and a significantly lower glare effect, making the office cosier and a more productive work environment.
Sustainable LED solutions are also accompanied by uncommon aesthetics. For many rooms of the project44 office, architects from The Design Group designed personalised, office-tailored lighting. In some meeting rooms and in the communication zone along the office core, the designers decided to install fittings whose construction provides a 360-degree angle of illumination.
– In each of our projects we devote a lot of attention to issues related to ergonomics and ecology. It could not have been otherwise in the project44 office. The client was keen that employees be ensured working comfort, and also felt responsible for the environment and contributed to its protection. That is precisely why all desks in the project44 office are electrically adjustable, enabling employees to switch between sitting and standing positions. Additionally, each workstation was equipped with acoustic islands, providing appropriate conditions for concentration and effective work. In the bathrooms, sensors were installed in soap dispensers, as well as doors with a push/pull function enabling users to open them without using a handle. An essential element of the office equipment were also waste segregation bins. – emphasises Marta Konarska.
Through collaboration with The Design Group architectural practice, project44 created a modern, functional and attractive office that fosters efficiency, creativity and collaboration between employees. Every element works in harmony with the others, promoting work flow and enabling project44 employees to achieve their full potential. It is a space that perfectly reflects the brand’s professionalism and enables the development of innovative solutions in the field of supply chain visibility on a global scale.
