The new headquarters of GN Poland, designed by Warsaw-based studio BIT CREATIVE, embodies a pioneering concept of a contemporary, home-like office. The impressive space, located in the prestigious Saski Crescent complex in the heart of Warsaw, embraces Scandinavian aesthetics enriched with coworking-inspired elements and vibrant accents tailored to the tastes of a young team. The office reflects the Scandinavian work philosophy, emphasizing employee well-being and a healthy work-life balance. Distinctive decorative motifs and top-notch acoustic standards are closely tied to sound technology – GN’s global area of expertise.
The GN Group, a Danish company with a history spanning over 150 years, has long set standards in intelligent audio technology, hearing aids, and devices for gamers and professionals. It is also a leader in fostering innovative environments and a positive workplace culture. The new multifunctional office spans a generous 2,000 m² within the Saski Crescent office building and is designed to support the company’s global operations, with special emphasis on the IT department – the largest group among the approximately 100 users of the space. The interior design was entrusted to BIT CREATIVE, one of Poland’s leading studios specializing in creating innovative work environments.
Saski Crescent has undergone rebranding and a redesign after several years. “Since the first floor has a lower ceiling height, we deliberately opted to visually expand the volume by leaving the ceilings exposed,” explains Barnaba Grzelecki, founder of BIT CREATIVE. Tree canopies are visible through some of the windows, and although centrally located, the building is surrounded by greenery. The new GN Polska interiors combine Scandinavian restraint and natural elements with features from the company’s previous coworking office: warm brick, concrete, wood, and greenery – both natural and as a color accent. The leading material is warm-toned natural oak wood, combined with a palette of greys up to anthracite, and details in black, muted greens and blues, navy, hints of purple, and a signature orange that energizes one of the boldest rooms. This room is themed around percussion instruments – even the lamp makes the inspiration clear. The brick wall has been painted white and serves as a backdrop for a display of drum cymbals.
“The inspiration for the entire office concept was the product itself – audiovisual solutions,” says Barnaba Grzelecki. “The design is built around sound – both functionally, in terms of acoustics, and visually, with details like headphones or graphic representations of sound intensity.” As a Danish company, GN naturally favors a Scandinavian style – interiors in cool tones warmed with wood. At the same time, the company’s former office in a coworking space featured red brick, concrete, greenery, and wood elements – distinctive themes that the client wished to transfer to the new office along with a bold design spirit, seen in graphics, neon lights, and unique lighting fixtures. The graphics – most notably one of a girl wearing headphones – were printed on PET panels that absorb sound while serving as striking décor. The acoustic performance throughout the office is of the highest standard. “As designers, we were thrilled that we managed to achieve this within the budget,” the architect emphasizes.
Decorative elements featuring sound level patterns in various colors not only adorn the walls but also function as noise-absorbing panels integrated into openwork partitions. In addition to high-quality double glazing and PET panels, the interior incorporates felt, nonwoven acoustic ceilings, bitumen-backed carpets, and ceiling-mounted acoustic islands, ensuring exceptional working comfort. Acoustic comfort is a key component of holistic well-being – a value GN is known for as an employer.
The new office features diverse functional zones – from a reception area with a classic desk and a guest zone, complete with a bookshelf filled with live plants reminiscent of a contemporary home living room, to a seamlessly connected social hub that forms the heart of the office. Here, glass bricks provide natural light and create a color dialogue between greenish glass tones and turquoise coffee point tiles. There are conference rooms in various sizes, and intimate one-person work pods. The open spaces are designed to encourage collaboration without being overwhelming. Workstations are separated by light partitions made of wood and acoustic felt with sound wave patterns, which are echoed in the LED lighting design. “The LED 'flow' across the ceiling is a deliberate reference to sound waves, just like other interior elements inspired by sound technology – GN Group’s core field,” notes the architect. There’s even a soundproofed room dedicated to deep relaxation, featuring a gym ball and a recliner surrounded by cosmic motifs. It’s fair to say you can feel at home here – without ever leaving the office.
“After the pandemic, many people returning from home office struggled to readapt to open-plan office realities. This led to a shift in how such spaces are designed. In the post-pandemic era, offices must now offer not just functionality, but also a quasi-domestic coziness and amenities that support neurodiversity. Designers today are tasked with ‘domesticating’ modern offices without compromising on high-level functionality and aesthetics,” says the owner of BIT CREATIVE.
The new GN office includes both focused workspaces and areas for interaction – most notably the social zone with a bar and a café-style dining area. It caters to neurodivergent individuals, offering both quiet zones and visually stimulating environments.
Although the space is technologically advanced, the technology is not overpowering – rather, it coexists with the design, enriched with biophilic elements. The abundance of live plants in pots and preserved greenery – indistinguishable from real – used in ceiling-mounted lighting and decorative installations stands out. Felt lighting fixtures, acoustic islands, and integrated multimedia systems are harmoniously incorporated into the open-ceiling areas. “We have several interesting lighting fixtures with acoustic properties – in grey felt and colors like red, blue, and even a beige felt fixture resembling an origami flower,” lists Jakub Bubel. “The rounded shapes are a nod to the building’s architecture. They also appear in the glass partition walls and ceiling elements above the open space. We deliberately used softened detailing and rounded forms,” he adds.
GN Polska and BIT CREATIVE have together created a space that exemplifies how today’s workplaces should be designed: with people in mind, using sustainable technologies and innovative functional solutions, hand in hand with biophilic design. “We’re extremely pleased with the results of this collaboration. We worked with a conscious, dynamic client who allocated budget to acoustic, ergonomic, and technological elements – along with an inspiring team of young employees. The new GN office is a reflection of all this,” concludes Barnaba Grzelecki.
Design: BIT CREATIVE composed of: architect Barnaba Grzelecki, architect Jakub Bubel, architect Malwina Klimowicz
Photos: Fotomohito
