Introduction
This is a story about holistic design, where the relationship between the user’s needs and matter - both existing and conceived - forms a multi-layered spatial experience. It is an exploration of symbiosis between architecture, interior, and context.
The project is located on the northern coast of Poland on the outskirts of Słupsk, where the urban realm dissolves into the tranquillity of nature. Here, the fresh breeze carries the scent and rustle of the surrounding fields and forests. The greenery spills into every corner of the plot. This place is the home to a boutique atelier devoted to crafting artisan pastries.
The dynamic development of the business initiated a need for a supplementary space to accommodate office work, collaborative meetings, workshops, and promotional events. The client's expectation extended beyond functionality, seeking to integrate the new programme into the existing production facility. This was to emphasise the importance of the synergy between the production planning, testing, and baking, as well as the new administrative and marketing departments. The company's ethos is to strive for uniqueness by combining regional baking traditions with modern technology. At the heart of the owner’s vision lies an aspiration to craft products that stimulate every sense, becoming a feast of flavours, aromas, and artistry.
The Concept
The design seeks to resonate with the brand’s philosophy while at the same time providing a comfortable and inspiring environment for the artisans. The proposal represents a dialogue between layout efficiency within the constraints of an existing structure and forward-looking evolution of the space. The key functions, such as the main office spaces, reception, and social facilities, were located in the available volume on the first floor. The vertical communication, along with the director's office and conference room, were moved outside the envelope of the original building. As a result, the internal programme achieves coherence, offering a seamless flow from shared, public zones to personal, individual spaces. This also became the motivation for the creation of a glass pavilion at the front of the existing building.
Space is shaped by solid forms and surfaces, sculpted from a palette of natural materials. The object consists of interwoven volumes, fostering interaction between the users. Restraint and honesty are creative forces defining the architecture. Such a strategy enabled the blurring of the boundary between the exterior and the interior, making the building a reflection of its context and purpose. This individually crafted space is called Pracownia (Eng. The Workshop).
The Architecture
The concept unfolds as a layered composition of architectural elements, including structural components and façade divisions as well as rhythmic wall panels that evolve into ceiling screens and modular stone floor extending into the landscape. These are further articulated by monolithic stairs and a geometric light installation. The new front pavilion is a pure geometric form, defined by the rhythmic arrangement of vertical blades in steel and fibre cement, effortlessly floating above the transparent base. This volume is wrapped by a sculptural feature, sheltering visitors from sunlight and rain. The matt façade in ochre shades, combined with the glass reflecting the context, makes the building harmoniously connect with its surroundings.
The Space
The journey through the interior begins in the double-height lobby, enveloped by wooden tectonic panels. Overhead, textile ceiling screens echo the patterns of the walls and floor, creating a geometry that feels both deliberate and intuitive. This rhythm guides the view from the lobby to the reception area and then forward to the conference rooms and the director's office. Suspended above the entrance zone is a bespoke sculpture, designed as an interactive lighting accent. By day, it is a reflective centrepiece that filters the sun's rays, casting subtle shadows on the wooden walls. By night, it becomes a large-scale lantern integrated into the building's façade composition. The lobby features a small waiting area with armchairs upholstered in the ultramarine shade, that are an indirect reference to the vibrant hues of pastries baked just behind the wall. A polished steel table completes the composition with its reflective surface quietly engaging with the surrounding context. The lobby sets the architectural tone of the interior, defined by balance and geometric interplay of the elements.
Climbing the spiral staircase carved from wood, stone, and steel, one arrives at the heart of the interior—the reception. Here, the paths of employees and visitors cross, filling the space with a sense of life and energy. The reception desk, in the form of a stone block, appears to float gently above the floor in the centre of the space with its countertop softly illuminated by a horizontal pendant. Behind it, a module with an organic glass screen shelters the communal area dedicated to food preparation and informal gatherings. In front of the reception, on the surface of a wool carpet, sits a symmetrical arrangement of monochromatic armchairs with a rectangular steel table in the middle. From this point, the view extends to the entrance lobby with a light installation, beyond which the city’s panorama unfolds.
The workspaces are separated by transparent glazed screens. This solution, accompanied by the skylights placed in the middle of the building, allows natural light even into the deepest zones of the interior, bringing a sense of openness. The offices are fitted with soft carpeting, natural veneer, textile wallpaper, and bespoke furniture, all complemented by carefully curated art pieces. Adjoining the offices is a small meeting room, discreetly nestled behind a stone pylon. In this block, custom-made glass lenses are installed, elegantly diffusing the light and becoming a unique feature during the night.
Staying consistent with the chosen design language, the director's office is a volume composed of wood and glass, resting on a modular stone floor with a textile ceiling. This room is divided into two zones. The first is a formal area, centred around a large desk supported by two steel legs. Behind the desk stretches a landscape of local fields, which in the summer forms a beautiful colour accent, while in autumn and winter transitions into muted tones that resemble the desaturated material palette of the interior. On the opposite side of the room, there is a meeting zone, revolving around two organically shaped sofas, embracing a round table with a dark green stone top. The symmetry of the space is highlighted by a tectonic wall installation of recycled paper panels.
The conference room is a spatial continuation of the lobby. Those two spaces are separated by a mobile wall, offering the possibility of connecting them when required. The key element of the room is a long table surrounded by chairs, made of steel and natural leather. This composition is complemented by a cabinet, with soft angles and grooved glass. The conference room opens directly onto the private garden around Pracownia.
Material Minimalism
The material palette draws from the raw beauty of wood, stone, and metal. Their textures harmonise with the tactile allure of natural fabrics, woven carpets, and glass details. Moving from the external envelope, through the entrance area towards the office spaces, the user can observe subtle personalisations in the selection of finishes. This is aimed to better define the uniqueness and character of individual spaces. The design is enriched by large glazing that orchestrates a captivating interplay of light and shadow.
In order to achieve material minimalism, bespoke solutions have been crafted for this project. This is reflected in elements of space such as individually developed wall cladding systems, removable textile ceiling screens, and an integral family of objects designed specifically for Pracownia. These include tables, cabinets, reception desks, seating, and lighting fixtures. The architectural lighting, finished in raw aluminium is another example of a personalised approach. The selection of artworks becomes an integral part of the design, celebrating the exploration of form and material, blending artistry with craftsmanship to evoke a sense of innovation and cultural identity. The paintings and installations used in the space represent the creative works of Polish artists such as Jerzy Cepiński, Oskar Zięta, and Eva Jablonsky.
Nature plays a significant role in this design. Large windows and the rhythmic flow of stone slabs extending gracefully from the interior to the garden give a real sense of connection with the context. The vegetation is also introduced to the upper floor in the form of a large planter. The lush greenery of the plants is enhanced by a skylight located directly above.
Sustainability
Sustainability is strongly embedded in this project. The outside and the inside act simultaneously to provide an efficient working environment. From the earliest design stages, the carbon footprint generated by both the construction process and the building’s future operations was analysed. When developing the layouts their orientation and sunlight exposure, as well as spatial arrangement, were carefully studied. Technical solutions for internal partitions and infrastructure are designed with adaptability in mind, enabling easy reorganisation to meet the ever-evolving culture of office work. For the construction phase, local contractors were selected, and a significant effort was also put on selecting responsibly sourced, regional materials, emphasising natural over synthetic wherever possible. The energy needed for the operation of the business comes from client-owned renewable energy sources, including photovoltaic systems and wind turbines. Additionally, surplus heat generated during the production process is repurposed to warm the office spaces. The underfloor heating, air conditioning, ventilation, lighting, and automated blinds are integrated into one system. This enabled to creation a dynamic coordination mechanism, reacting to weather patterns and optimising energy consumption. The facade design and louvres proportions as well as glass specification are designed to find an equilibrium protecting the spaces from overheating at the same time providing sufficient thermal insulation.
A Place to Inspire
The design embodies an integration of local culture, nature, craftsmanship, and modern manufacturing methods. The space is shaped by overlapping volumes and their dialogue with the surroundings. Details, materials, and bespoke solutions achieve a quiet elegance, creating a balanced relationship between architecture and interior. Pracownia is designed to become a creative reflection of the people who initiated, designed, and created it, as well as those who are going to use it in the future. A place with a soul that inspires and nurtures the spirit of creativity.
