Brick and cobalt at the Szajbler spinning mill. This is what Dynamic [lab] looks like

·4 September 2026

An exceptionally original project, Dynamic [lab]
, has been completed in the historic Szajbler spinning mill in Księży Młyn, Łódź. Across 100 square metres, Hanna Pietras Architects have designed the headquarters for the KTI Implants prosthetics and orthodontics laboratory, where the brick walls and white-washed concrete are perfectly complemented by steel and a rich cobalt blue.

The former Szajbler spinning mill in Łódź

Dynamic [lab]
is situated within the historic Szajbler loft complex. The 19th-century spinning mill now forms part of Księży Młyn, one of Łódź’s most valuable examples of post-industrial architecture. The interior retains traces of its industrial history: brick, concrete and tall windows with arched lintels. It is within this space that the prosthetics and orthodontics laboratory was created. The designers from Hanna Pietras Architects made no attempt to conceal this existing architecture. On the contrary – the raw surfaces have become the backdrop for a bright, meticulously designed workspace.

“Having already understood the expectations, we knew it had to be a highly functional space, but at the same time it had to have ‘that certain something’,” recalls Hanna Pietras.

Dynamic [lab]

Cobalt instead of typical white

The most striking colour in the design is cobalt. It features on the cabinet fronts, in the built-in furniture and on the rounded, capsule-like forms. The intense hue breaks up the clinical whiteness whilst also reflecting KTI Implants’ brand identity.

“The colour cobalt symbolises self-confidence, creativity, intellect and a deep sense of calm. It stimulates the imagination and aids concentration. It fits in perfectly with and complements the KTI Implants brand,” explains the architect.

The capsules also serve a practical purpose. Positioned between the circulation areas and the workstations, they help to separate the different zones without creating heavy partitions. Their glass-walled interiors feature examples of the equipment used in the laboratory.

“First and foremost, it is an element that visually separates the circulation area from the work area. We wanted the whole room to feel visually organised, despite its open layout,” explains Hanna Pietras.

Dynamic- [lab]
s concealed behind brickwork

The work area is dominated by white tiles, stainless steel and specialist equipment used, amongst other things, for scanning and printing. Such a combination could create a very cold interior. Here, however, it has been set against the brick and concrete of the former factory.

“We didn’t approach this as elements meant to symbolise anything; rather, our approach highlights the power of contrasts – we combine clean, sterile elements with visually brutalist ones, such as concrete. It’s a sort of material manifesto that shows how beautifully opposites attract,” says Hanna Pietras.

The developer was responsible for the laboratory’s technical requirements and participated in the work alongside suppliers of equipment and medical furniture. The architects’ task was to create a cohesive space in which the specialist facilities do not dominate the architecture of the historic spinning mill.

Dynamic [lab]

Training, meetings, workshops

Dynamic [lab]
was conceived as a space that can be quickly adapted to various activities. The area designated for meetings features folding desks. This allows the room to be opened up to the adjacent zone.

“This part was intended to be very presentable, with the option of flexible reconfiguration. At any moment, we can turn a training session into a workshop in the laboratory – the desks can be folded away and moved into the adjacent area,” explains the architect.

The entrance has been separated from the rest of the interior using glass blocks. The transparent elements allow light to pass through, meaning the partitioned area does not feel completely enclosed. It is one of those details that influences the overall impression of the interior, without competing with its more striking features.

The bathroom as the icing on the cake at Dynamic [lab]

The smallest room in Dynamic [lab]
has become the setting for the most impressive combination. In the bathroom, warm light highlights the brickwork, whilst a navy blue ceiling completes the look. The designers treated this space as a small-scale experiment with materials.

“It’s these micro-moments that make up the whole. The bathroom was meant to be very simple, but with a ‘wow’ factor,” says Hanna Pietras.

This is where the motifs found in the other rooms come together: industrial brick, bold colour and minimalist form. “I love the bathroom! It has colour, a bit of the new, a bit of the old – that’s exactly the kind of eclecticism I’m after, ” adds the designer.

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About the practice:

The Łódź-based practice Hanna Pietras Architects has been operating since 2012. It designs private and commercial interiors, including healthcare and hotel spaces. In their projects, they eagerly utilise bold colours, unusual combinations of materials and striking forms, seeking a unique visual language for each project.

Project: Hanna Pietras, Anna Maria Jędrzejczak – Hanna Pietras Architects
Photographs: Przeblask – @przeblask