Global consulting leader:

Poznań hub

2023 - Poznań

WORKPLACE

Details

Following the success of the Wrocław pilot, this project in Poznań represents the next evolutionary step in our collaboration with the client. Building on the "Office of the Future" strategy, we adapted the core concepts to the specific needs of the local team. The result is a space defined by "Flexible Scandinavian Minimalism"—a warm, home-like environment that proved so effective at attracting talent that an expansion was necessary before construction was even complete. It is a testament to how a well-designed, functional office can naturally draw people back to work without mandates.

647

Square meters of area

Employees

Months of work

A proven process

The process began back in 2020 with a nationwide survey, but the Poznań project offered a chance to verify those initial assumptions against the reality of the Wrocław pilot. We conducted a new series of interviews and workshops to tailor the global strategy to the specific needs of the Poznań team.

Rapid expansion

The success of the strategy was immediate. During the implementation phase, it became clear that despite the post pandemic assumptions, the team was expanding faster than anticipated. We quickly designed and executed an expansion into the adjacent space. As the client noted, this was a critical decision; without it, the high voluntary attendance would have left them without enough room for all interested employees.

Merging home and office

The core design premise was to encourage employees to return by combining home comfort with office functionality. We recognised that while "involuntary knowledge exchange" is crucial for the client's culture, large, poorly insulated open spaces often hinder focus. Our solution was to fragment the open plan into intimate "mini-offices." These small, comfortable team zones are surrounded by support areas and acoustic partitions, ensuring that employees don't feel "on display." This layout preserves the collaborative spirit of an open plan while providing the acoustic comfort and privacy usually associated with cellular offices.

"This office isn’t an open space – the fact that it’s partitioned – we sit in mini offices. I associate open space with airports – here, it’s been made fragmented, and you don’t have the feeling that you’re on display – that’s great." — Employee Feedback

Control and comfort

A key achievement of this project is the level of environmental control given back to the users. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, lighting can be adjusted for pairs of neighbouring desks, and temperature can be controlled within small groups. Acoustic curtains allow teams to partition their space on demand for deeper focus physically.

Social hub

Complementing the quiet work zones, the kitchen serves as a vital support zone designed for integration and relationship building. It provides a relaxed setting where the "involuntary knowledge exchange" — so central to the client's culture — can happen naturally. By offering a space that combines office functionality with home-like comfort, it encourages spontaneous meetings and team bonding, functioning as a lively counterpart to the focused "mini-offices."

Flexible scandinavian minimalism

The design language is a refined evolution of the "warm industrial" style used in Wrocław. Here, we embraced a palette of subtle earth tones — beiges, browns, muted greys, and greens — to aid concentration and create a sense of lightness. A large number of wooden elements and abundant greenery (including a striking green wall in the entrance) warm up the interior, balancing minimalism with Scandinavian comfort.

Local identity

Abstract geometric forms on the walls and acoustic panels create a cohesive visual theme that transitions into recognisable locations on the map of Poznań etched onto glass walls. This gives the global office a unique, local character that resonates with the team — a strategy implemented by the company in our first post-pandemic pilot project in Wrocław, which proved to work perfectly with the new "Office of the Future" concept.

Tech and sustainability

The workspace underwent a comprehensive technological upgrade to standardise the hybrid experience. Meeting rooms feature modern audio-video systems for seamless connectivity, and the office includes an integrated booking system for rooms, desks, and parking, as well as smart lockers from Collectomate. Crucially, sustainability played a major role in the fit-out. We refurbished and reused desks from the previous office, proving that environmental protection is a priority. These were complemented by new workstations equipped with electric height adjustment systems, inductive chargers, and dual monitors, ensuring top-tier ergonomics.

The magnet effect

The ultimate measure of success for this project is the attendance rate. As confirmed by Leesman research, a functional, well-designed office attracts employees without the need for mandates. The Poznań office is full, vibrant, and highly rated by its users. It successfully bridges the gap between the comfort of home and the functionality of a professional workspace, creating an environment where employees genuinely enjoy spending their time.