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Fortum:

HQ revitalization


2023 - Wrocław

WORKPLACE

Details

Returning to a space we originally designed in 2015, this project transforms a traditional office into a post-pandemic hub for a leader in clean energy. Winner of the Property Design Award 2024, the revitalisation shifts the focus from individual desks to social interaction, embedding the client's ecological values into the very fabric of the interior. Through a radical "Less Waste" approach and deep human-centric features, we created a flexible environment that supports hybrid work while caring for the physical and mental regeneration of its users.

1800

Square meters of area

16

Months of work

1

Post-pandemic evolution


Our client, a champion of clean energy, required a space that reflected the new reality of work. The goal was to transform the office from a place of mandatory daily attendance to a flexible hub for collaboration and culture. We replaced rigid layouts with diverse spatial typologies, ensuring the office supports both daily users and remote employees visiting occasionally, all while maintaining a "Warm Eclectic" atmosphere that feels more like a home than a corporation.

Change management support

We understood that a physical transformation requires a mental shift. Beyond the architectural design, we supported the client in change management by organising workshops with employees to prepare them for the new environment. We listened to their needs — from the desire for quiet zones to the need for active breaks — and translated those expectations directly into the functional layout, ensuring the staff felt ownership over their new "home."

2

The social heart


To prioritise connection, we made a bold spatial move: the prime location previously occupied by the management board was transformed into the new "Heart of the Office" — a vibrant social and networking area accessible to everyone. This shift democratised the best views and daylight, turning what was once an exclusive zone into a hub for informal meetings and team integration.

Optimizing for agility

To accommodate new amenities without expanding the footprint, we optimised the individual workstations. By reducing desk sizes from 160 cm to 140 cm, we reclaimed valuable floor space to introduce 12 new phone booths (achieving a comfortable 1:8 ratio) and 10 meeting rooms. This trade-off ensured that while individual footprints became more efficient, the shared infrastructure for hybrid meetings and focus work was significantly upgraded.

3

Less waste


Prioritising the client's identity as a green energy leader, we decided to retain and adapt as many existing elements as possible, including glass walls, doors, movable furniture and ceiling installations, adapting them to the current needs and requirements of spatial arrangement. We printed on existing Ecophon ceiling islands and used second-hand plants, demonstrating that sustainable design is about resourcefulness. However, the process required great agility; when the existing carpet proved unsuitable for reuse, we quickly adapted our strategy, proving that "Less Waste" requires an open mind to unforeseen challenges.

Innovative materials

Where new materials were necessary, we chose solutions that sparked curiosity and reduced environmental impact. A standout feature is the use of a "paper ceiling" in the networking area. This innovative material choice not only serves as a unique visual marker for the social zone but also reinforces the narrative of sustainability through unexpected textures and recyclable components.

4

Human centered


Recognising that community and movement drive wellbeing, we designed the space to encourage interaction and activity. We introduced "soft" meeting rooms and coffee points across the floorplate to foster spontaneous collaboration. By blending these vibrant social areas with functional elements like greenery-integrated lockers, we created an environment that naturally stimulates energy and strengthens team connections throughout the workday.

Regeneration room

For moments of deep rest, we created a specialised sanctuary isolated from the office buzz. This "regeneration room" allows employees to disconnect completely, featuring reclining chairs, a therapeutic salt lamp, and a calming soundscape of singing birds to help reset the senses. To further support mental health, we equipped relaxation areas with special anti-depressive lamps that mimic natural daylight, helping to regulate circadian rhythms and improve mood, particularly during the darker winter months.

Active movement

To further support physical health, we integrated a dedicated exercise room directly into the office workflow. Equipped with wall bars (ladders), stretching mats, and balance trainers, this space encourages staff to take active breaks, promoting a culture where mobility and fitness are natural parts of the daily routine.

Scope

Design


Predesign
Briefing
Space Planning
Design Concept
Design Development
Detail Design
Value Engineering
Supervisions
Change Management

Team

Board


Bogusz Parzyszek

CEO I Founder

Dominika Zielińska

Former Managing Partner, Workplace

Design


Paweł Kołodziej

COO & PM

Daria Żarnoch

Architect

Olga Szadkowska

Architect

Małgorzata Romanowicz

Architect

Katarzyna Gajewska-Kulma

Strategy Manager & Researcher

Suppliers & partners


Adam Grzesik

Photos