Details
When a healthcare leader builds a new home, wellbeing isn't just a perk — it's the blueprint. How do you design a workspace that actively cares for its users? For the first time in 15 years, LUX MED consolidated its scattered departments into a single, 13,000 sqm ecosystem in Warsaw’s Lakeside building. Designed to smoothly transition 1,500 employees into a modern hybrid work model, this headquarters is a masterclass in holistic design. By fusing a strict 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) philosophy with neuroscientific art integrations and advanced light therapy, we created a living office that breathes, regenerates, and reduces stress. This uncompromising dedication to human-centric design didn't just win over the employees — it captured the industry's attention, winning the prestigious Best Design award in the Office category at the Property Design Awards in January 2025.
13k
Square meters of area
1500
Employees
16
Months of work
1
Research and flexibility
Dynamic growth over the past 15 years had left LUX MED’s various departments scattered across several buildings. The new headquarters brings the entire organisation under one roof in the Lakeside building, drastically improving collaboration and knowledge exchange. The location offers additional benefits: excellent public transport access, proximity to green areas, and a BREEAM Outstanding certification for the building.
We started the collaboration with a comprehensive research process to understand the current needs and challenges faced by such a large organization. Over 50 research interviews and workshops with employees allowed us to create a functional layout tailored to the specific needs of various teams while ensuring flexibility for future changes.
Well-prepared for change
The new office involved not only a change in location but also a transformation in the way of working. The hybrid work model prompted a shift away from assigned desks to a shared workspace system. Our team supported LUX MED in managing this transition by engaging over 50 Change Ambassadors. A series of workshops helped identify the team’s main concerns and gather guidelines for desk booking, meeting room reservations, and parking spaces. Together, we developed a workplace etiquette to ensure the office functions as conveniently and efficiently as possible for everyone. This process was supported by delivering clear guidelines for communication and employer branding materials. A few months after the relocation, we collaborated with the Ambassadors to review how the solutions were functioning and made necessary adjustments.
2
The aesthetics of wellbeing
We believe a workspace should soothe rather than overwhelm. By carefully calibrating the visual intensity of each zone, we created an environment that actively protects employees from sensory overload and daily stress. The colour palette — a gentle, restorative blend of soft whites, calming greys, and lush greens — acts as a natural backdrop for deep focus and quiet reflection. Instead of rigid corporate lines, the space embraces fluidity: organic shapes sweep across the walls, and delicate, flowing paper ceilings drift overhead. Together, these elements wrap the entire office in a feeling of warmth, softness, and profound calm.
Neuroscience and art
Why include art in the office? The answer lies in the evolutionary relationship between the human brain and nature. Based on Restorative Attention Theory, viewing nature activates the parasympathetic nervous system, lowering cortisol (stress) and boosting dopamine. Even when a direct window view isn't possible, art with nature motifs provides a similar neurological benefit. To harness this, we introduced over 100 unique, nature-inspired oil artworks depicting mountains, forests, water, and minerals throughout the headquarters. These pieces act as a visual reset, tangibly restoring concentration and reducing visual fatigue.
Functional aesthetics
The artistic approach extends beyond traditional canvases. In offices and corridors, we implemented acoustic paintings made from organic materials (organoids) that serve a dual purpose: enhancing acoustic comfort while acting as natural decor. Furthermore, structural elements like cork, organoids, and glass blocks (luksfery) were used rhythmically to play with light and texture, functioning as architectural art. This proves that art is not merely an aesthetic addition, but a highly functional tool that improves the overall quality of the work environment.
A bespoke masterpiece
The office’s aesthetics are crowned by a bespoke triptych painting by Tomasz Opaliński in the reception area, created especially for this space. As the artist notes: “The triptych is an interpretation of a garden, with humans as its caretakers and sensitive observers. In a reality full of changes and crises, I appreciate the value of nature in its cycles, its power of regeneration, and the role of humans as beings uniquely capable of protecting it. The figures intertwine with the trees and flowers. They are not dominant entities but coexist with them, becoming an indispensable part of this garden.”
3
Health comes first
As the leader in the healthcare market, it was natural for health-related aspects to dominate the design. A variety of workspaces on each floor allows employees to choose environments suited to their work style and needs. Team work zones are complemented by focus rooms and acoustic booths. With 114 meeting rooms — more than double the previous number — and comfortable social areas on each floor overlooking the park and lake, it’s a workplace designed for both collaboration and relaxation.
The heart of the office
The fifth floor, with terrace access, is the heart of the new office. It features a shared coworking space and representative meeting rooms that can be combined for larger events. Crucially, this floor offers the most opportunities for rest and regeneration, accessible to all. A fitness room with treadmills and pull-up bars supports health and movement during the workday. Hydration stations on each floor and a mineral water tasting area at the main reception emphasise the importance of wellbeing.
Advanced light therapy
Another health-promoting feature is a room equipped with a light therapy installation. For its design, we collaborated with Paulina Grabowska from mood.farm, a company specialising in creating spaces for health and regeneration in workplaces. The specialised lamp simulates sunlight, positively affecting wellbeing. It supports the production of serotonin, known as the “happiness hormone,” and helps regulate circadian rhythms—particularly important during the autumn and winter seasons. The installation also emits infrared radiation, which aids relaxation and circulation, enhancing oxygenation of the body. The system is app-controlled, allowing users to select the appropriate program depending on their needs: energize, relax, de-stress, or meditate.
4
The 3R philosophy
Sustainable development was a key aspect of the new office, following the 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) philosophy. Most furnishings were reused from the previous LUX MED office — cleaned and serviced for continued use. New furniture was sourced from local suppliers. Natural and recycled materials dominate the finishes: recycled carpets without bitumen backing, walls made from cork, hemp, grass, and flowers, and ceilings crafted from felt and paper.
Art from waste
Our "less waste" approach even turned leftover building materials into art. If you walk onto the fifth floor, you'll see an eye-catching mosaic made entirely out of the project's own construction waste. Instead of throwing that debris away, we turned it into a daily visual reminder of the company's commitment to the environment. Reusing these materials, along with the refurbished furniture, helped shrink the project's environmental footprint while proving that recycled materials can enhance the look of the office.
Living sustainability
We didn't just buy new plants for the office; we brought the old ones along. All the greenery in the new headquarters actually comes from LUX MED’s previous offices. To make the move more meaningful, employees propagated and replanted these familiar plants themselves during hands-on workshops led by Paulina Grabowska. It was a great way for the team to connect with their new space while making sure the plants they were used to kept growing right alongside them.
5
More for less
For a project of this scale, even small savings on individual elements contributed to a reduced overall budget. Through efficient collaboration with the client and thoughtful optimisation, the entire project was delivered at a cost of approximately 20-30% less than similar high-class projects on the market at that time. This success was possible because we were well-prepared for the process right from the lease agreement stage, with the support of Reina for LUX MED. The budget comprehensively included all aspects of the project: construction work, finishes, furniture, greenery, as well as IT and AV solutions.
Scope
Research
Design
Team
Board
Bogusz Parzyszek
CEO I Founder
Dominika Zielińska
Former Managing Partner, Workplace
Design
Ewelina Jezierska-Podolska
Senior Architect
Rafał Mikulski
Senior Architect
Zofia Kurczych
Design Director
Maciej Kolak
Senior Architect
Tomasz Wontor
Project Delivery Director
Paweł Kołodziej
COO & PM
Olga Szadkowska
Architect
Ewa Jędras
Architect
Aleksandra Czarnecka
Senior Architect
Michał Pyka
Architect
Research & Change Management
Barbara Majerska
Research & Strategic Design Director
Katarzyna Gajewska-Kulma
Strategy Manager & Researcher
Igor Łysiuk
Architect
Client
Lux Med
Robert Kalota
Lux Med Team
Dorota Sawicz
Lux Med Team
Kasiewicz Marta
Lux Med Team
Katarzyna Wojnarowska
Lux Med Team
Renata Rzadkiewicz-Woźnica
Lux Med Team
Justyna Niebutkowska-Jończyk
Lux Med Team
Suppliers & partners
Kamil Gurbiel
Project Management
Adam Grzesik
Photos
Paulina Ziecik
Photos
