Projektek|Iroda
Allen&Overy
- 1123 Budapest, Alkotás street 55-61
- 524 m 2 |
- átadás éve: 2022
Allen & Overy, an international law firm with offices in forty-four countries, decided to move to a more modern and efficient building after a decade and a half and has once again chosen MádiLáncos Studio for the project. Their new office, located in the LEED Gold-certified Hillside Office Building, is spacious, timeless and made of high-quality materials which make it clear that knowledge and trust are guaranteed at the firm.
The planning of the new office for the international firm was also an important milestone in the life of MádiLáncos Studio, it was the project in which three of their separate business units, MádiLáncos Studio, responsible for interior design, ML2C, dealing with project management and workspace strategy, and ML2S, the specialist in sustainable and green solutions, could work in full harmony and in synergy.
ML2C was responsible for the project management, including cost estimation, the tender and the supervision of the construction, in close cooperation with Allen & Overy’s project management team in London. It should be noted that despite supply difficulties the development was completed on time and within budget. Sustainable solutions strengthen confidence in the future and long-term commitment.
The Allen & Overy Kádár Law Firm is the result of a coordinated, collaborative thinking of different office design fields, and has been created with high quality, sensitive design solutions, always keeping the needs of the client in mind. When the law firm was designed, it became clear that the responsible and conscious approach of the client would blaze a trail for the offices of the future.
Workplace strategy: data-driven thinking, effective design
Thorough research preceded the new location search: Allen & Overy used one of MádiLáncos’ key services, the so-called workplace strategy, during which the experts mapped the needs, created a strategy and finally chose the LEED Gold certified Hillside Office Building.
However, workplace strategy goes beyond finding the right office building: it provides a data-driven summary of the needs and expectations of the company and its employees, this information is essential for interior designers in planning, but also an important feedback for managers about their company.
Confidence, drawn with design tools
The designers of MádiLáncos have used colors more boldly and have also introduced some freshness and playfulness in the community spaces: in addition to earthy colors and natural wood, pleasant red tones appear from caramel to deep burgundy.
Because of the client’s field of expertise, high quality acoustic solutions are of paramount importance in the whole office, and the aim is to provide the highest possible level of privacy in the design solutions.
An exciting, unique feature of the office space is the ash slat paneling, which adds freshness to the space while its timeless material reflects long-term thinking.
Hungarian artists’ artworks, paintings and sculptures, carefully selected by the MLS team, make the office space unique - among others, the international office features works by József Bullás and a painting by Miklós Szüts.
The staff’s favorite since moving in is the sit-in booth, a comfortable, cozy space enhanced by the unique, patterned upholstery. The Haworth Riverbend’s acoustic benches are perfect for relaxation and private conversations, while the lounge corner is a carpeted space with a library. The centerpiece of the kitchen is a large, wooden community table: in addition to dining, it is also suitable for informal meetings, in-house events or even work.
Arktura’s suspended ceiling is a real highlight: here, the designers’ explicit aim was to create a soft wave pattern that flows across the ceiling and increases the sense of space in the low ceiling area of the reception. The Vibia lamps above the reception and the reddish felt acoustic lamps also define the space.
A unique coffee bar can be found in the reception area: all sides are visible and it separates the toilets. The counter also contains a cloakroom and a self-service coffee station for customers, as well as a unique niche; the furniture, made of quality materials and marble, is a striking element of the design.
Maximizing bike storage, a step towards carbon balance
The owners of the company wanted to move their office into a certified building, so they settled on the LEED Gold-certified Hillside Office Building in Hegyvidék, Budapest. The building’s energy efficiency, current structural features, the availability of public transport in the district, the design of bicycle storage facilities and air quality were key considerations.
From the very beginning of the project, the aim was to certify the office itself, with the intention of achieving LEED ID+C (LEED for Interior Design and Construction) Gold certification.
A sustainable approach was important in the design and construction of the office, and it guided the entire process. Here are a few examples of environmentally conscious design: Allen & Overy rents only three parking spaces to reduce car traffic, while providing adequate bicycle storage for employees and customers, including changing and shower facilities in the office.
The designers have sought to minimize waste and preserve as much of the original materials as possible, such as carpets, floor tiles, suspended ceilings and lamps. The way Allen & Overy is committed to reducing global carbon emissions is exemplary and unfortunately still not widespread in the Hungarian market: the total annual energy consumption of the office is offset by the purchase of carbon credits.
During the development, MádiLáncos, combining the expertise of all three business units, worked to ensure that Allen & Overy not only moved into a well-functioning, economically efficient office, but also had a space with sophisticated design and sustainable solutions that is beneficial to the natural environment and the people who use it.
