Real Estate

Meet Unilever's new office space in Warsaw

3 sierpnia 2022

4 min.

664

Unilever's Warsaw office underwent a metamorphosis in function, design, and space plan. Tétris experts were responsible for the fit-out work.

The re-definition of office spaces has gained momentum as a result of the pandemic. More and more corporations are choosing to give their headquarters an upgrade to bring their interiors in line with new trends and people’s needs. Nowadays, offices are supposed to be conducive to integration and teamwork. The office of Unilever, a global FMCG manufacturer, which has been residing in the Eurocentrum office building in Warsaw since 2014, has undergone such a metamorphosis. The translation of the company's proprietary Future Of The Office concept into an interior design was handled by the Massive Design architects. The executive project and its implementation were entrusted to fit-out experts from Tétris.

Designers of office spaces have been planning a variety of interiors with chill-out or quiet work rooms for a good decade. However, the pandemic has intensified the trend toward employee well-being, ensuring that employees are safe and comfortable while fulfilling their duties. It has also triggered changes in work models – popularized remote and hybrid work. One of the tasks that post-pandemic offices are supposed to serve is to attract employees to the offices, integrate them and meld with the company, and finally, rebuild or even re-establish mutual relationships.

We are noticing an evolution in how companies build their identity. Now principals focus on the human being and say: "We are people, not logos." The office intends to encourage employees to spend time there – they should feel comfortable and perform their tasks efficiently and creatively. The company headquarters are designed to be more comfortable to work in than home, while at the same time be like home. This goal has been set for almost every project we have implemented over the past year and a half. Anna Rębecka, Senior Creative Architect, Tétris. A homey atmosphere in offices is achieved through the materials like wood and fabrics. One of the solutions is also the use of a large number of plants, she add.[

Unilever's office modernization included space reorganization and a change in functionality, but with the same infrastructure and location of the most costly zones. Massive Design architects adapted the guidelines of the corporate Future Of The Office concept to the company’s local needs, taking into account employees experiences from a months-long hybrid work.

Rearranging the office in the spirit of Future Of The Office concept was an important undertaking directly related to the multi-faceted process of pandemic-induced change. Together with Massive Design, our design champions, and the project team, we developed a concept dominated by meeting spaces adapted to ever-changing needs. We transformed classic conference rooms into multifunctional spaces that provide opportunities for workshops, presentations, or training sessions. A variety of zones dedicated to cooperation were created, as well as places for individual work or relaxation such as a yoga room, massage room, or chill-out room with games. All the new solutions are intended to favor current ways of working, carried out very often away from the desk. Justyna Burkiewicz, Workplace Manager, Poland and the Baltics, Unilever

Diversity manifests itself not only in the space plan but also in the modern approach to furnishing the space with traditional and soft furniture, as well as with mobile or modular solutions. It is worth noting the audio-video technology used in the rooms.

Unilever's office modernization project was one of the more interesting ones we conducted during the pandemic. The new office space plan we adapted for the fit-out work is extremely diverse and tailored to the needs of the employees. An interesting part is the reception area combined with an open cafeteria-style kitchen, created to make everyone feel at home also guests visiting the office. From the contractor's point of view, this space is also interesting because of the unusual front of the counter. We made it from planks obtained from the demolition of a barn. It gave a natural loft atmosphere to the interior and, at the same time, works well with the green back wall of the reception. Paweł Pikus, Contract Director, Tétris

Among the challenges for the Tétris team was to minimize its environmental impact. Included in the design guidelines was the reuse concept of fixed and mobile elements of the office, such as existing walls, glazing, lighting, kitchen built-ins, connectors, controls, and even ventilation and air conditioning units.

To meet our client’s expectations, we supplied furniture and accessories from manufacturers with a low or negative carbon footprint. We also made maximum use of the company's resources in the new arrangement. For example, we took advantage of a reserve of carpeting. Krzysztof Jastrzębski, Senior Project Manager, Tétris

Tétris carried out the work for Unilever from July to September 2021. The project involved the 3rd and 4th floors of the building, an area of 2931 sqm. Each floor was renovated separately to allow employees to use the office and ensure business continuity. It influenced the arrangement of the work schedule and delivery logistics. Thanks to the company extensive experience in carrying out such operations, it completed the project as planned.

Anna Rębecka Justyna Burkiewicz Krzysztof Jastrzębski office Paweł Pikus Tétris Unilever Warszawa

About Company

Tetris Poland Tétris, your partner in creating surfaces in the Design + Build model, i.e. from design to full implementation. We are a leading European specialist in arranging business spaces. Regardless of the nature, scale or location of the investment, we remain at your disposal - from design to turnkey interiors. Choosing Tétris services guarantees that the new space will work for the success of your company. Our projects increase the comfort of work and the efficiency of the team. Modern arrangements build the company's image in the eyes of partners and customers.

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