Details
Designing the same location twice is a unique architectural challenge. Six years after creating an award-winning office at this address, we returned to reinvent it for a new tenant, Mediabrands. The goal was not just to renovate, but a complete reimagining of the "City in an Office" concept to captivate a new young workforce of Generation Z. We transformed the existing infrastructure into a vibrant scenography of Warsaw, blending the raw energy of urban hotspots with a radical Zero Waste philosophy. The result is a sustainable, hybrid ecosystem that pulses with the same energy as the capital itself.
2600
Square meters of area
300
Employees
18
Months of work
1
Urban scenography
We first designed this office six years ago for Mediacom, creating a "City in an Office" that was ahead of its time. However, cities change, and so do the people who live in them. When Mediabrands took over the space, CEO Monika Bronowska set a clear challenge: the new office had to be attractive to young employees, specifically Generation Z. We realised that the locations fashionable six years ago had been replaced by new hotspots. To remain authentic, the design had to evolve.
Warsaw scenography
To capture the "cool" factor for the under-25 demographic, the interior design acts as scenography. We looked to the current map of Warsaw — places like PKP Powiśle, Warszawa Główna, and the Nocny Market — to create a narrative that resonates with the team today. Characteristic elements, such as a neon Mermaid sign (the symbol of Warsaw), ground the global brand in its local context. By referencing neighbourhoods and venues that employees visit after hours, we transformed the office from a corporate container into a familiar, vibrant part of their daily urban life.
inspiration
inspiration
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The vertical city
The physical space reflects the complexity of a metropolis. Spanning 2,600 sq m across the 9th and 10th floors, the office functions as a vertical city connected by an internal staircase that facilitates flow and spontaneous encounters. This connection is vital for the company's culture, linking the 300 employees across different agencies like UM and Initiative into one cohesive organism, rather than isolated departments.
2
A map of city neighborhoods
The most unique aspect of this project is its zoning. We treated the space not as a traditional office, but as a map of Warsaw districts, where each "neighbourhood" has a distinct vibe and function. Spread across two floors, these zones are designed to manage the energy of hybrid work. We allocated 50% of the entire space for interaction and social activities, ensuring that the office isn't just a desk farm, but a true meeting place.
The social district
The energetic heart of the office is the networking zone, inspired by Warsaw's famous "Nocny Market" (Night Market). Designed to look like the trendy marketplace on disused train platforms, this area functions as a dynamic social hub. It houses a large dining room and an adjacent game room. Crucially, this space is highly flexible: it serves as a canteen for daily meals but can easily be rearranged into a town hall venue for large team-building events or conferences.
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The quiet district
On the opposite end of the spectrum is the "Mokotów Zone," modelled after the National Library. This neighbourhood is strictly for deep focus. It features cosy, soundproofed workstations surrounded by natural wood and plants. It offers a sanctuary for those seeking silence, balancing the high energy of the social zones.
The hybrid districts
Connecting these extremes are the dynamic collaborative zones referencing PKP Powiśle and Warszawa Główna. These areas are adapted for the hybrid model, offering a mix of spaces for smaller and larger groups to meet. The layout ensures that no matter the task — whether brainstorming in a "train station" setting or focusing in the "library" — employees have a dedicated "neighbourhood" that suits their needs.
3
Zero waste design
One of the primary goals of the project was to maximise the utility of the existing infrastructure. Rather than demolishing the previous high-quality fit-out, we made a strategic decision to preserve the layout of the partition and glass walls, along with most of the suspended ceilings and decorative fixtures. This rigorous "Zero Waste" approach was not only environmentally responsible but financially decisive. By retaining these fixed elements and prioritising renovation over new construction, we successfully reduced the implementation cost to half that of a new office of a similar class.
Upcycled gems
To inject the "Warsaw vibe" without generating waste, we turned to upcycling, using a significant amount of second-hand furniture to refresh the arrangement. The interior features unique "gems" that carry the city's history, such as original, refurbished armchairs salvaged from the historic Muranów Cinema, which now serve in the meeting rooms on the 10th floor. We also breathed new life into iconic custom elements from the previous tenant, including a well-known seating unit shaped like a city bus stop and a conference table modelled after the Świętokrzyski Bridge. These preserved artefacts do more than save budget — they ground the office in the authentic narrative of the capital.
4
Connection first
Recognising that 50% of work time is now spent on interaction, the office is designed primarily as a tool for relationship building. By offering spaces that feel less like a "workplace" and more like a city district, we created an environment that naturally attracts young talent. It encourages the "involuntary knowledge exchange" and social bonding that are difficult to replicate remotely.
Simultaneous execution
This project was implemented under immense time pressure during the pandemic. As noted by Office Manager Agnieszka Wiśniewska, we had to execute stages simultaneously that usually proceed in sequence. This required extreme flexibility and close cooperation.
Scope
Research
Design
Team
Board
Bogusz Parzyszek
CEO I Founder
Dominika Zielińska
Former Managing Partner, Workplace
Design
Tomasz Wontor
Project Delivery Director
Maciej Kolak
Senior Architect
Aleksandra Piotrowicz
Architect
Michał Pyka
Architect
Urszula Dziedzic
Senior Architect
Client
Mediabrands
Mediabrands Poland
Agnieszka Wiśniewska
Mediabrands team
Mikołaj Zglenicki
Mediabrands team
Grzegorz Gaj
Mediabrands team
Suppliers & partners
Adam Grzesik
Photos
Damian Bieniek / SpaceID
Space branding and wayfinding
