Project authors: Rafał Drobczyk Design Office, Anna Zarudzka and Chilid
Photos: Budzik Studio © XSolve and Chilid
Location: Gliwice, ul. Królowej Bony 13
Floorage: 1 120 m2
Project date: 2016
Implementation date: 2017
Award: Best Polish Interior Design 2017, First Award in Public Spaces Category
Location
It all started with a "Need". Rafał Drobczyk Design Office was approached by an IT company that looked for new place for its business in order to create new creative space for its employees and develop even more. At the beginning, we started with conceptual and functional project covering two adjacent halls on the terrain of Technical Devices Plant in Gliwice. The project included reconstruction of objects together with provision of rest and recreation areas. However, too high investment costs tipped the balance and the search for new seat was still on the table. Then, we thought about building the office from a scratch that would be completely adapted to the company's needs so that in the years to come and with growing employment it would be still possible to develop the object. Near the down town, close to the Silesian University of Technology in the vicinity of the Scientific and Technological Part, the Investor found an empty plot bordering with Kłodnica River. The place seemed perfect for such prosperous and global company, however it was not chosen either. The plot has met the requirements and provided many opportunities, but the ground surveying showed inadequate base which would generate too high costs related to improvement of its quality. As a result, it was the climate of the place, openness of the space, attachment to the object with history and market opportunity that decided about the new location.
Team of engineers and designers of multidisciplinary office of Rafał Drobczyk i Anna Jackowicz rose to the challenge and perfectly mirrored the Investor's Need in the walls of former Medical High School, an object built in 1927. The new seat of Xsolve, put into operation in 2017, is located at ul. Królowej Bony 13, only 650m from the Gliwice market, in the heart of the city.
Need
Requirements of the resolute client, who perfectly knew its needs made that the design assumptions could not only pertain to good design and ergonomic space. According to the Investor, the office, through its arrangement, was to reflect the methods of agile design into office space, stimulate users to creative work, effectively affecting the company development. Place of work is not assigned to a given employee, it is about complete freedom of choice. Traditional open space is completed with additional rooms providing many options for meetings and relaxation or individual work. Moreover, such hybrid space may constantly change, allowing for almost any interior arrangement, adapted to current needs of users.
Functional arrangement
The main assumption concerning the space arrangement was creation of an interesting interior, maintaining the Investor's needs concerning functional arrangement and philosophy of xSolve company.
Projection of the building has a shape of extended rectangle, wherein internal communication routes, connecting entrances and separating space to basic functions, run along axis of the shorter wall of the building. The main function, i.e. workstations, is designed as a representative space, visible from ul. Królowej Bony because of large windows of former sports hall, ensuring daylight for many hours. Entrance to the office with spacious anteroom fitted with places for informal talks and casual meetings is provided from this side, too. From the side of the yard and parking zone, designed in the closed quarter of town houses, work zone complementing functions were provided, i.e. social and sanitary facilities. This passage also includes conference hall for 20 persons and the chaos room. Another, smaller conference room with internal window to the open space is located across. In the adjacent room, bevel formed by the building staircase was used as a screen to show movies and screenings, and the whole area forms intimate screening room. Next to the internal communication passage, rooms for internal meetings of employees, performing interviews and information meetings are provided. Moreover, the decision was made to eliminate the function and form of conventional canteen in order to provide coffeehouse and well developed social facilities. High, spacious space of former sports hall was used not only on the ground floor level. Mezzanine, which can be entered by steel stairs, provides the space with unique character and expression. This level includes also work space complemented with a silent room - place of calm and immersion. This unique hybrid space perfectly mirrors the main assumptions and needs of the Investor. Additional asset is the stage platform which allows for performing meetings and conferences as well as important company's events.
Material assumptions
In such a exceptional place as the former Medical High School of 1927, materials used for creation of the space are an extremely important element. This is no place for artificiality. It all has to be true and make the user feel well and free. In order to reflect the spirit and maintain genuineness of the place, we uncovered and impregnated original brick. Concrete, resin covered floors and new ferroconcrete mezzanine structure impart austerity. All elements of HVAC and electrical system covered in graphite tubes are visible, conferring loft character to the space. Office space is dominated by brick and whiteness of new walls. Glass used in the form of division walls without any frames, ensuring transparency - so important from the Investor's standpoint, is a significant material.
