Projektek|Iroda
CPI
- Váci street 99-105. Budapest 1139, Balance Hall
- 1500 m 2 | 120
- átadás éve: 2023
- szolgáltatások: space planning - interior design concept and design - visual design - graphic design - art management - selection of mobile furniture
Feeling like home at the office: an inspiring, fresh working environment in CPI's new office
The team of interior designer MádiLáncos and the client CPI sat down at the design table as old friends: this time the real estate development and management company’s new office was on the drawing board. For companies in the real estate sector, it is extremely important to have an office space that reflects the company’s credo, values and vision on architecture, and to support the community and ensure that their employees can work effectively; so the starting point was the brand’s vision statement.
As the company expanded, CPI moved to a larger office: the Balance Hall office building needed to accommodate nearly 120 employees. The organizational structure required both closed and open office spaces, as well as single offices. In addition, the functions needed for an efficient working environment had to be provided: meeting rooms of different sizes, focus rooms and collaboration areas.
Yet the most important areas in the new office design were the break-out zones, where the designers included a foosball table, a dining table that can be converted into a ping-pong table, video games and even a beer tap. These areas have a richer design with unique solutions, while the office spaces have been designed to create a modest, serene environment.
Community spaces, coziness
The main community space is located in the center of the office. The space is organized and furnished in such a way that everyone can find the right space to relax in small groups or on their own, whatever they need. That’s why these spaces include a large communal table, a bar, small lounge furniture groups and, in less spacious areas, one or two-seater booths. For larger gatherings, the whole space can work as one big room, this helps build a community spirit at the company.
It was important to CPI that their new office should feel like home because they want to encourage employees to choose to work in an office alongside their home and feel comfortable in a similarly cozy setting. This is reflected in the design and functional layout. There’s been a strong emphasis on communal areas, where employees can have fun and play as well as relax and chat.
What seemed to be the biggest challenge for the design team turned out to be the biggest value of the project: CPI’s staff moved into a recently renovated, little used office building with good quality materials, but the design did not reflect the values and character of the company. They also had a lot of furniture from their old office in
good condition, which they wanted to use as much as possible. They had to rethink these factors to be able to develop a truly sustainable project, both environmentally and financially.
So instead of a clean slate, the designers at MádiLáncos aimed to ensure that the project was sustainable and waste-free, and planned to create a fresh new look by making smart adjustments. One example was the yellow kitchen furniture ‘inherited’ from the office, which was in practically perfect condition, with new appliances. From a sustainability point of view, it would have been a mistake to throw it away, so the designers simply replaced the overhead cupboards and the back wall and repainted the walls to create a completely new space with a pleasant atmosphere.
CPI’s new office design has become a beautiful example of sustainable design and thinking. A conscious design approach has meant that the designers have kept most of the building structures (carpeting, suspended ceilings, walls), and where the function did require some demolition, it was reused elsewhere. This is how, among other things, old mobile and built-in furniture was given a second life during the renovation.
Just like in other completed projects of MádiLáncos, this office also features some contemporary Hungarian artworks, such as the paintings of Dorka Morvai on the walls.
The CPI’s fundamental aim of creating a cozy office and an inspiring community space has been achieved: employees are excited to have a new office where it feels good to arrive in the morning.
