The New Wienerberger Headquarters Breaks the Mould
A company that produces hollow blocks, bricks and roof tiles does not usually need a showroom. The Warsaw office of the Wienerberger brand, however, shows how these materials can be used in unconventional ways.
The first concepts for the new headquarters of the Wienerberger brand in Poland were being developed more than two years ago – the buildings of the Prague-district Koneser were still being constructed, but employees already knew they would soon be moving there. The design task was entrusted to The Design Group studio of Konrad Krusiewicz. The choice of location could not have been better. A manufacturer of hollow blocks, bricks and roof tiles was looking for a space, and the spaces of Koneser were literally made for it – industrial character, red brick, the atmosphere of Warsaw’s Prague district. That says it all. It is no wonder that this is where an office perfectly highlighting the nature and style of the company was created. It also fulfils the precise expectations of the client represented by the advisory firm Walter Herz. 1,800 sqm was arranged in an unusual but also invigorating way.
Red Like Brick
Koneser is a place conducive to entrepreneurs – in its atmospheric red-brick buildings, a manufacturer of those very bricks must have felt right at home. It is no wonder that the architects drew inspiration in their work from the materials and raw materials supplied by Wienerberger. This was a natural step, thanks to which every day employees interact with the products of their company. The office itself also perfectly fits into its surroundings.
The interior is imbued with construction elements from the investor’s product range, but they do not dominate the space. The architects found an excellent balance between the expressive force of construction materials and the elements that give the office its lightness. Working in it is exceptionally comfortable, and a cosy atmosphere can also be felt – thanks to well-considered accents. The contrast to the hollow blocks and clinker is provided by white and grey, which create an interior that is spacious and bright. Whitened wood also enlivens a space marked by stone and concrete. Combined with colourful furniture and curtains, a modern office with a homely atmosphere has been created, one that makes use of traditional materials.
A signature of the Warsaw design studio is the introduction of graphics and murals into interiors. In this project, for example, one will find numerous photographs in black frames. They additionally emphasise the private character of the interior and add quality to it. Just as the beautiful mirrors, light furniture and stone worktops do – all of this works excellently in contrast to the red of the bricks.
Exposed
The industrial character of the space is accentuated by uncovered ceilings. The installations were left in view, but to maintain the clarity of the space they were painted white. An industrial touch can also be seen in the kitchen and chill-out space, on the creation of which Wienerberger placed great importance. The previous office lacked a place for such informal meetings and relaxation. This time, therefore, employees received a large kitchen and a specially arranged relaxation area – the whole resembles a fashionable café.
The office space represents Wienerberger’s product range. It might seem that the simple building materials produced by the investor are unsuitable for use in interiors. Nothing could be further from the truth! The architects reached into the manufacturer’s portfolio to add variety to the office and give it an exceptional character. Patterns and structures from the brand’s range became the inspiration that dictated specific design solutions. An example of this is the openwork hollow-block partitions. Together with partitions made of white-lacquered steel mesh, they divide the space into appropriate zones and organise the circulation routes in the office. The openwork structure, however, allows light to flow freely through the room. This makes it spacious, and natural light from outside reaches the corners of the office.
It turns out that clinker tiles are not only an excellent material for façades. They are also suitable for interior walls! Their texture and colour look excellent in a working space.
