Details
The design is a continuation of our multi-year collaboration with Nordea Bank. A workspace that serves as a bridge between Scandinavian roots and a Polish context. Located on the lower floors of the Libra complex — beneath the futuristic "Nordea Horizon" IT command centre — the Baltic Sea Office was designed to bring the tranquillity and atmosphere of the coast into the heart of Warsaw. Completed in 2020 and fully activated in 2022, the project stands as a paragon of resilient design with flexibility and well-being at its core, which gave a new vision to the post-pandemic era of hybrid work.
4300
Square meters of area
15
Months of work
1
Design rooted in research and context
The design concept for Nordea Warsaw is a narrative continuation of the "Office as a Port" theme established in our project for Nordea Bank headquarters in Gdynia. Drawing inspiration from the Baltic Sea — the element connecting Helsinki, Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen, and Gdynia — we created a distinct visual identity that anchors the brand in its Nordic roots. This unique design strategy, with its flexible solutions, not only defines the space but acts as a key differentiator in Warsaw’s competitive talent market.
Evidence-based materiality
Building on the success of Nordea’s Gdynia headquarters—often cited as one of the world's greenest offices—we prioritized a "breathing" workspace rich in biophilic elements to support mental well-being. However, the execution went beyond aesthetics. We conducted a rigorous post-occupancy audit of the Gdynia facility, utilizing durability tests and employee interviews to drive our finish selection. The result is a coastal-inspired palette where every material is data-proven to offer the highest comfort and longevity.
2
Conceptual zoning framework
The central design axis is a storytelling journey that frames the Baltic Sea not as a barrier, but as a shared space connecting Poland and Scandinavia and bringing people together. We meticulously adapted the decor to specific functionalities. Guest areas feature immersive, scenery-driven designs intended to stimulate creativity and strengthen the brand image among visitors. Conversely, deep-work zones, where employees spend the majority of their time, utilise subdued, calming tones to support focus and reduce cognitive load.
The hearth of the office
Situated at the core of the office, an open staircase acts as the heart of the design, becoming the building’s vibrant social hub. Designed as a suspended amphitheatre, this two-story void offers a theatre-like capacity for large town-hall meetings, company events, and informal gatherings.
Crucially, this space acts as the architectural mediator between two distinct atmospheres. It bridges the "vivid world" of the ground floor — filled with intense colours and designed for high-energy interaction — with the upper level, where the aesthetic quiets down into subdued tones to support deep, focused work. The staircase is the physical transition point where the stimulating energy of the entrance zone gently shifts into the calm necessary for concentration.
3
Sensory architecture
The design elevates on the traditional office design and its connection to the Baltic coast by bringing the outside world indoors. The design prioritises a multisensory connection to nature, moving beyond standard office solutions by integrating biophilic elements that engage both sight and sound, fostering a deep sense of well-being and calm within the workspace.
Water wall
As Poland’s first indoor open water wall, this feature acts as an acoustic sanctuary within the common zone. The gentle, rhythmic sound of flowing water mimics a coastal atmosphere, providing natural white noise that actively lowers stress and promotes mental clarity. By concealing the mechanics within the ceiling and pots, the design appears visually weightless and seamlessly integrated.
Illuminating the core
To illuminate the deep central zones, we integrated CoeLux technology—an innovative artificial skylight that faithfully reproduces the optical sensation of natural sun and blue sky. This feature does more than simply improve the atmosphere; it maximises spatial efficiency by reclaiming the building's core. By introducing high-quality "daylight" into these windowless areas, we successfully transformed space previously suitable only for utilities into vibrant, habitable zones for employees.
4
Future-proofing
Although designed prior to the global shift in work culture, the "heart" of the Baltic Sea Office was built on principles of extreme adaptability. We implemented a system of lintels and mobile walls in the ground-floor common space, allowing the reception area to be reconfigured instantly for various scenarios.
The investment in multifunctional space proved crucial when the office fully reopened in 2022. The layout minimises unnecessary movement by keeping amenities close to workstations, while dedicated agile team zones provide safe, focused environments. This foresight allowed the office to adapt to hybrid work models without costly renovations—a significant advantage given the rising costs of office fit-outs.
Scope
Design
Team
Board
Bogusz Parzyszek
CEO I Founder
Dominika Zielińska
Former Managing Partner, Workplace
Design
Tomasz Wontor
Project Delivery Director
Aleksandra Czarnecka
Senior Architect
Natalia Leszczyńska
Architect
Aleksandra Piotrowicz
Architect
Design Support
Maciej Kolak
Senior Architect
Urszula Dziedzic
Senior Architect
Sylwia Rebelo
Architect
Kevin Rebelo
Architect
Client
Nordea Bank
Nordea Bank Warsaw
Suppliers & partners
Space branding & wayfinding
SpaceID / Damian Bieniek
Photos
Adam Grzesik
