Skansa Office

Project Team: Arch. Stefan Alberto Bianco, Arch. Monica Trasca, Arch. Irina Buica, Arch. Urb. Mihai Pavel, Arch. Radu Rachiteanu.

Project Type: Interior Design

Photography: Catalina Nechifor

SKANSKA is one of the largest real estate developers in Romania and it was a challenge for us to plan a headquarter that not only ensure the necessities of their activities, but more importantly, to represent them and their values. By means of the concept, we wanted to assert the main component of the company’s activity: the development and construction of ecological office buildings.

The space has a strong character, represented by the multitude of textures, shapes and specific design elements, being a mix of modern components, in contrast with primal materials. In the space planning we used as design elements multiple common materials of construction, such as wood, mineral wool, wire net and even copex tubes or insulation made from elastomer rubber. These are positioned and integrated in the design insomuch that they are transformed in imposing decorative elements which sum up de basis idea of the concept.
In space planning we implemented Activity Based Workplace concepts in order to stimulate the cooperation and interaction between people and to facilitate communication, by having a mix of working areas and opened informal spots.

The space opens up with the reception area and the 5 meeting rooms, in which we chose to insert concept elements that would create an individual character for each space, while beeing integrated in the overall theme at the same time . An identity was offered to each meeting room through the use of a different ceiling, composed of diverse materials such as copper wire or stainless steel tubes.

The insertion of the vegetal primordial element in the entrance area, represented by the green wall and the tree trunk that supports the reception desk, refers to the sustainable character that is the basis of the company’s ecological principles.
The reception desk’s orientation highlights the available space and offers a forthcoming character to the visitor and together with the color insertions in the moquette and the orientation given by the linear lighting fixtures, suggests a visual invitation in the space. The combination of opposing materials used as finishes and the intersection detail of the desk with the glass partition, make a direct reference to the technical component of the design, of great importance in the construction field.
In the reception area, next to the green wall, are 3 real elements, specific in safety issues, definitive for the whole concept, made with a chrome coating: a protection helmet, protection goggles and soundproof headset. Placed on a distinct panel, integrated in the wall paneling, they are elevated to the rank of decorative objects and they express safety in constructions, a factor of significant importance among Skanska values.
An imposing element in the space’s design is the panel with 9 construction materials, positioned next to the entrance in the office, in the visitor waiting area, centered on the corridor that leads to the meeting rooms. This panel sums up the essence of the concept and reflects it through the simplicity of the composition, by joining materials with diverse uses into an uniform element with decorative character.

According to Activity Based Workplace concept, in the open space we can find individual fixed workstations as well as informal working and meeting zones. This area has a liberal character without formal interventions, reflected by the color play of the carpet, the furniture’s positioning and the lack of a classic coffered ceiling specific to offices spaces. A free ceiling was chosen, with visible installation equipment, as a background for the ceiling composed of different types of wood, suspended over the informal area. A base component of the concept, the ceiling is composed of wooden elements that represent the evolution, over time, of the construction material, from straws to acoustic perforated panels. This subscribes to the base idea of the concept, making the connection with the practical side of the construction field, which is in permanent development.

Between the open space and the open kitchen there is a buffer zone comprised of informal areas that can be used for short meetings as well as having a meal and a bar-type furniture that has the same functionality. The opened kitchen follows the concept of the office, with distinct finish elements such as a magnetic glass blackboard visible from the work space.
In it’s ensemble, the designed space has a unified character, reflecting the idea of unity in diversity. It is opened and innovative but also unpredictable through the gradual discovery of design elements made from common materials but elevated to the rank of decorative objects.