Douglas:

a workplace inspired by women

2026 - Warsaw

WORKPLACE

Details

How do you translate a premium beauty brand into a workspace that actively nurtures its employees? For Douglas Polska, the answer was a project driven by responsible revitalisation and profound respect for the people who build the brand. Located in the historic Elektrownia Powiśle complex, we transformed a previously occupied corporate space into a modern, neuroinclusive, and sustainable headquarters. Inspired by the brand’s core values and its female-driven team, we delivered an ecosystem that integrates the retail product directly into the architecture while proving that eco-conscious "less waste" strategies can thrive in demanding corporate environments.

2000

Square meters of area

Months of work

Designed for comfort and quality

Douglas is a beauty brand whose team is predominantly made up of women. From the very beginning, we designed this interior with their daily comfort, needs, and working styles in mind. The design draws direct inspiration from the brand's core values: a passion for beauty and people, inclusivity, freedom of choice, ethics, and exclusivity.

Exclusivity through sustainable choices

One of the main challenges was to reflect the premium quality of the brand while maintaining a rational corporate budget and minimising environmental impact. Instead of using standard laminates or wood-like materials, we opted for noble, eco-friendly alternatives. Countertops were crafted from natural conglomerates mixed with resin, meeting room tables were made from processed waste, acoustic felts were sourced from recycled materials, and the carpets are completely bitumen-free. We defined luxury not as excess, but as high-quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, and solutions that genuinely improve the daily user experience.

A gallery of local Polish design

While Douglas is a global brand, it was crucial to anchor the Warsaw office in its local context. We curated the space with standout pieces from Polish artists, designers, and craftsmen. The interior is enriched by locally sourced furniture, bespoke ceramics, acoustic solutions, and custom lighting elements. This approach seamlessly blends the global identity of the Douglas brand with regional artistry, giving the space a unique, localised character.

Passion for people and inclusivity

To foster daily relationships and wellbeing, we introduced open, bright kitchens, and significantly increased the number of meeting rooms, focus rooms, and phone booths. The floorplan was designed with freedom of choice and inclusivity at its core. We ensured full accessibility for individuals with limited mobility and introduced dedicated spaces, such as a parent-and-child room. Combined with excellent acoustic comfort and abundant greenery, the zoning provides ideal conditions for both deep concentration and sensory regeneration.

Movement and ergonomic wellbeing

Every zone is equipped with high-quality, health-focused spatial solutions designed to support employee wellbeing. The workstations feature ergonomic task chairs and height-adjustable desks, while the broader office incorporates furniture and elements that actively encourage physical movement throughout the day. Combined with optimised room acoustics and enclosed sensory regeneration rooms, the physical comfort of the team is prioritised just as highly as the visual aesthetics.

The sculptural heart of the company

The central collaborative zone acts as the vibrant heart of the company. Capping off this space is a signature ceiling installation inspired by soft, layered forms of paper. This delicate, sculptural structure subtly diffuses ambient light, infuses the interior with a distinct sense of lightness, and serves as the most recognizable visual accent of the entire project.

The "Less Waste" foundation

From the outset, this project was rooted in the philosophy of responsible revitalisation and "less waste." Taking over a space previously occupied by ING (originally designed by MODE:LINA), our goal was to retain as much of the existing infrastructure as possible. After a detailed site inspection, we determined the interior was in excellent technical condition.

existing and designed floor scheme

The puzzle of circular space planning

The greatest design challenge was adapting the existing elements to a completely new organisational layout. Integrating a new arrangement of desks, meeting rooms, and collaborative functions into the preserved architecture was a complex process — much like combining two entirely different sets of puzzle pieces into one coherent picture. Rather than stripping the interior, we carefully analysed what could be saved, refreshed, or modified, successfully preserving:

~80% of the existing ceilings
~70% of the existing floors
~60% of the built-in carpentry (retained and/or refreshed)

Alongside these impressive metrics, we also retained the glass walls and most of the original joinery. We only replaced elements that were heavily worn out or lacking necessary technical documentation, such as old carpets, specific lighting fixtures, and exploited kitchens.

Overcoming implementation challenges

One of the most demanding stages of the project was striving to realise the space exactly according to the assumed materials. It required significant effort to convince all involved parties — including the investor and the building manager — to implement these specific, sustainable finishes. Ultimately, we successfully defended all key design solutions, proving that innovative, recycled materials can be successfully applied in highly demanding corporate projects through meticulous documentation and consistent project management.

Designing for the mind

At Douglas Polska, women hold over half of the managerial positions and play a pivotal role in building the company's team structures. To support them, our goal was to design an interior that is deeply thoughtful, cohesive, and comfortable — a space that actively strengthens a sense of belonging, increases daily motivation, and fosters a positive attitude toward everyday duties. To achieve this elevated standard of well-being, we integrated principles of neuroscience into the architecture. By implementing spatial solutions proven to positively affect the human brain and emotions — such as sweeping curved walls, organic shapes, biophilic design, and glare-free natural light—we created an environment that naturally reduces stress and boosts concentration for the entire team.