Buro Happold Warsaw Office
Warsaw, Poland
Project details
Client
Buro Happold
Architect
APA Kuryłowicz and Associates / Buro Happold
Duration
Completed in 2015
Services provided by Buro Happold
Located in Spektrum Tower, Buro Happold’s Warsaw new office is an outstanding example of successful renovation of a commercial space. With an ambition to create an office that was highly sustainable and energy efficient, we specified a space that would also promote the health and wellbeing of our fellow employees.
Challenge
The project was an exciting opportunity for us to use our ideas for our own environment. We wanted to deliver state of the art solutions that would allow our space to become a living laboratory, demonstrating energy saving measures. We worked closely with our team and our design partners to maximise the effectiveness of lighting, acoustic and HVAC systems.
Solution
Working in partnership with Ecophone, the acoustic design for the office enhances the working environment. A highly sound absorbing ceiling provides soundproofing without compromising the feeling of connectivity between team members. With partners Philips Lighting, we installed dimmable LED lights that compliment daylight entering the space. Lights are controlled by daylight and movement sensors so that they only operate in occupied spaces.
Ensuring the highest air quality in the office was key to its success. Working with project partners Halton, we installed fresh air supply systems into the space. CO2 sensors have been incorporated so the system can identify where people are and distribute fresh air accurately across the office space. Further adding to the project’s green credentials, our team specified a grey water system that harvests water from hand basins, showers and condensation from the air conditioning system, resulting in up to 30% reduction in water use daily.
The systems for the office needed to be designed to integrate with the building’s irregular floor plate. We were in a unique position as we had worked with the owner of Spektrum Tower on its recent refurbishment, so we knew the building well and knew what alterations we needed to make to accommodate our designs. The tower’s investor allowed us to shape the interior and systems from scratch, removing all existing installations, so we could develop the most effective space possible. This freedom allowed us to really showcase the best sustainable engineering solutions, delivering a high level of energy efficiency.
Value
Demonstrating the project’s success, our team has received the Pascal 2016 Award for the HVAC work across the space as well as our healthy office. The carefully integrated systems, alongside the selection of materials for the interior design of the space, provide an inviting and uplifting working environment for employees.