Be yourself in space

The new Brand New Galaxy’s office, just like the Galaxy business concept, was thought of as a space that combines readiness for change and challenges, openness to dialogue and cooperation and taking joy in everyday work.

The 2,000-square-metre area includes two complementing floors, which combine Brand New Galaxy’s many dimensions – eight companies with varying profiles and personalities – in perfect harmony. Kacper Kłos, CEO of Brand New Galaxy, emphasises the individual thinking style embedded both in the space and the DNA of the company. ‘The place we have created with architects is a common denominator of values and the business development course which leaves a lot of space for being yourself,’ explains Kłos. ‘It’s a space that represents what’s most important to us on a day-to-day basis,’ says Michał Glapiński, Vice President of BNG, as well as CEO of Pathfinder 23 and Synthrone. ‘An employee survey helped us decide what we should pay particular attention to – it gave rise to the ideas of container conference rooms, wooden swings or ubiquitous peace lilies which are some of the best air-filtering plants and as such are recommended by NASA. All this, together with the historic premises of the Koneser Centre, culminates in a “wow effect”: one reminiscent of a New York galaxy-style loft, where the spaces of work, dialogue and leisure orbit one another,’ explains Glapiński.

The agora is the centre of the Galaxy – the reception area, lobby, speech and presentation forum, as well as a coffee place are located there. It’s equipped with two huge screens facing each other, which enables making simultaneous presentations and calls between offices all around the world.

Conference rooms were named as some of the most important elements of everyday work: there are eight of them, with one hosting the biggest meetings. They’re equipped with professional audiovisual systems, individually controlled air conditioning and lighting, as well as switchable glass walls.

Apart from the conference rooms, there are also a dozen or so coffee-and-relax zones for informal meetups and creative chats. Swings and hammocks add to the cosy atmosphere.

Thanks to the efforts of the whole team during construction works, it was possible to display the historic brick ceilings which have a positive impact on the visual and acoustic side of our Galaxy.

KATARZYNA EKIERT AND BARTŁOMIEJ KLEPIŃSKI, architects and authors of the concept, Biuro AR

The task we had at hand was to create a balanced space for creation, reaction and recreation. We used two levels of post-industrial halls, with a cast-iron and steel structure and a brick vaulted ceiling. Our assumption was to move relax and meeting areas more to the inside, so that workspaces could get more light. On the lower floor, the agora and meeting rooms form the Galaxy’s centre. The central area of the second storey houses a large conference room and relax zones. External orbits of both floors are intended for spaces dedicated to particular companies. The height of the late 19th-century interior allowed for a box-in-box approach in placing new elements, so as to visibly contrast the old, historic essence with contemporary forms. The design helped put a spotlight on the original structure, at the same time making use of modern lighting, employing IT and bringing out the culture café vibes of social spaces.

(04.11.2019)