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I N T E R V I EW
Environmental certificates – a marketing trick used in the struggle for customers, or a genuine
concern for the natural environment?
Both. From the marketing point of view, environmental certificates are a well-conceived
system which rewards some sort of declared uniqueness, ecological diligence. On the
other hand, responding to individual requirements of certification systems improves, for
example, a building’s energy efficiency and encourages the use of local materials, instead
of, say, timber from the Amazon. It would be helpful, though, if the marketing aspect’s im-
portance didn’t overwhelm the ecological and efficiency component of the system as the
formula evolves.
Hot desking and common spaces in offices – will they work well in the Polish market?
Hot desking is an effective and necessary solution, but not for everyone. The suitability of
this formula depends on the specifics of a company’s business. If, for example, it’s a bank
or a customer service centre with high personnel rotation or an extensive team of “nomads”
spending many hours at meetings, including out-of-office meetings, then hot desking is
the right solution. But if it’s a company whose activity is based on long-term employment,
on lawyers or professionals whose full development as co-workers takes, let’s say, two or
three years, and the fruits of their efforts are reaped over the next five, then obviously hot
desking makes no sense. Technology is currently so abundant that we can create a per-
fectly tailored workspace, like a suit from a Milanese tailor, for every customer at similar, of
course prêt-à-porter costs. You just need to start with a thorough analysis of his needs. It
sometimes happens that tenants – especially small and middle-sized companies who have
never rented a modern office before – don’t even realize their needs until the architects
bring them to their attention.
Which of your projects are you particularly proud of and why?
The headquarters of the Warsaw Stock Exchange (GPW) and the Stock Exchange Centre
is an example of a well-calibrated building, which has proven to be successful and only
now, after 15 years of use, we could engage in reflections on transforming the design of
its office spaces. And that’s only regarding some of the offices in use – the other spaces
and workplaces as well as all the major installations, functional systems and technical so-
lutions remain unchanged. It is also a rule that distinguishes good office buildings – that
they are adapted to the work of certain tenants at the beginning of operation, but also
perform well in functional models and work ergonomics that may emerge and do emerge
in the future. When we were designing GPW, we were lucky to work with a conscious
customer, we jointly drew up the functional and utility programmes for the building,
cooperation with the contracting consortium was also very positive. After 15 years, we
still have a good relationship and we work together. Indeed, my studio is located in this
building. I don’t distance myself from the fruits of my work. I am also very happy with
the Kronos Ambassador project on Domaniewska Street, which recently won the Aluprof
“
Building of the Year” 2014 award. It was built with virtually no intermediate supports
in an open plan and compressed reinforced slabs ceilings make it possible to arrange
offices in a space with a volume of up to 15-18 metres, with double-sided illumination
with sunlight. The building’s body has the right proportions and occupies an interesting
place in the ongoing process of shaping a new identity of the area. “Lipowy Office Park”
on Aleje Żwirki i Wigury, designed by us and erected for Hochtief Development a few
years ago, handles the passage of time well. Sold several times, each time at a profit, it
is the Central European headquarters of Bank PEKAO S.A. Unicredit.
Are you currently working on any spectacular projects?
The CBF 2.0 building next to the “Party’s House” on Nowy Świat in Warsaw is close
to completion – a project which required adequate sensitivity to the surrounding
historic buildings and the nearby Park na Książęcem, as well as the buildings of the
National Museum, the Stock Exchange Centre and the historical headquarters of Bank
Gospodarstwa Krajowego. Also difficult but inspiring is the shape and location of this
plot: longitudinal, visually and functionally connecting Nowy Świat – The Royal Tract
with the park. Another big challenge was to design the revitalization of the masterpiece
of the 50’s modernist architecture, which is CDT – the Central Department Store, the
former “Smyk”. And “last but not least”, the three office high-rises for Ghalemco at
Rondo Daszyńskiego with retail areas and an underground section directly connected
to the metro. One of the towers will be more than 90 m high, the other two – about 130
m high, with all three in a sculptural, streamlined, open composition form based on
attractive, generally available public spaces. Construction is in the preparatory phase.
Centrum Giełdowe w Warszawie/Stock Exchange Centre
Centrum Giełdowe w Warszawie/Stock Exchange Centre
