Details
Created for a joint venture by AFI Europe and Echo Investment within the landmark Towarowa 22 development — for the building’s anchor tenant — this project evolves the architectural vision of JEMS Architekci into a cohesive brand statement. Situated within the AFI Tower — a 150-meter skyscraper rising in Warsaw's new green "superquarter" — we translated the client’s values into a spatial narrative grounded in the archetype of the Sage: a guide navigating complexity through knowledge.
Conceived as a contemporary Academy, the space unites experience and fresh perspectives. More than just a workplace, it functions as a guild of knowledge—designed to enhance cognitive processes, encourage concentration, and foster a culture of continuous development.
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Triad
The conceptual foundation of the project draws from the classical Platonic triad of Good, Truth, and Beauty—timeless values rooted in a shared human need for meaning, depth, and harmony. These principles shape the spatial language and give the project a lasting, universal character.
Design principles
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An Ancient Dimension
The space is defined by the use of classical, elegant materials that inherently express a timeless approach to design. The intention of the project was to respect the existing character of the interior—not by altering its essence, but by carefully completing it.
Located on the historic site of the former Dom Słowa Polskiego (House of the Polish Word), the project bridges the past with the future. The design strategy focused on subtly enriching the space and introducing an authorial, contemporary layer that highlights its underlying values while adding a new dimension. The project is presented as a design study developed through conceptual collages, employing ancient signs, symbols, and architectural fragments as reference points. These elements informed the spatial narrative and guided the translation of historical meaning into a contemporary architectural language.
Design concept
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Design concept
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Design concept
Result
Entrance
Artistic initiatives that connect culture with everyday experience offer a compelling framework for hospitality - oriented spaces. Design reimagines the entrance and lobby not as transitional zones, but as places of welcome —where atmosphere, art, and identity shape the first impression.
Respecting the existing architectural character of the space, the project enriches the lobby through carefully curated artworks. Art becomes a tool of hospitality: it softens the arrival experience, invites pause and reflection, and fosters an emotional connection with visitors. The concept positions artistic patronage as an integral layer of the guest experience, reinforcing cultural awareness, care, and social responsibility.
Design concept
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Design concept
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Places of gathering, pause, and shared experience
Inspired by ancient forums, libraries, and garden rooms, the spaces combine warmth, rhythm, and material depth to create an atmosphere of understated elegance. Architecture, light, and carefully curated details work together to support both intimacy and openness, allowing guests to move seamlessly between conversation, reflection, and celebration.
Design concept
Result
Design concept
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Design concept
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Scope
Design
Team
Design
Bogusz Parzyszek
CEO I Founder
Tomasz Wontor
Project Delivery Director
Zofia Kurczych
Design Director
Barbara Majerska
Research & Strategic Design Director
Antonina Wójtowicz-Kruk
Architect
Monika Podolak
Architect
