Office House by JEMS Architekci is the first phase of the multifunctional Towarowa 22 complex in Warsaw. The 6.5-hectare site combines office spaces, flats, commercial premises, restaurants and cultural and artistic venues. At the heart of the complex is the Park of the Word – a garden inscribed in the remains of the former printing works, whose multi-level greenery determines the character of the entire development.
JEMS Architekci architects set themselves the goal of breaking away from the oppressive image of the traditional office building and describe the project as an ‘Office House’.
The name ‘office building’ connotes oppressive spaces, repetitive cubicles, cold light and a document factory. Today, however, the workplace is something more – a space that fosters creativity and an individual approach to work, explains Maciej Rydz, partner at JEMS Architekci.
The word ‘home’ contains the promise of safety and cosiness, which the designers have translated into user comfort and a holistic approach to wellbeing.
Greenery permeating the architecture
The body of the Office House takes the form of an H-shape and opens up into a five-storey park pavilion, reminiscent of an openwork pergola. This pavilion functions as a café and restaurant, becoming a natural extension of the Word Park.
At Office House, we created courtyards that allow the garden to penetrate inside and become a natural extension of the park. We wanted the relationship between the interior and exterior of the building to be more developed than in a conventional office building, hence the idea of ‘stretching’ the greenery over its structure, ” says Olek Gadomski, architect at JEMS Architekci
The vegetation plays a structural role here, influencing the microclimate, reducing the urban heat island and constantly connecting employees with nature.
Details and user comfort
Greenery has also been adopted on balconies, loggias and roof terraces along the sunniest facades. Vegetable shields protect against excessive heat in summer and allow for light in winter.
Elongated balconies and terraces with porous facades also reduce strong wind gusts that could create turbulence on the ground floor. In addition, the sequence of roofs and pergolas over the entrance courtyards from Wronia Street and Word Park eliminate draughts, providing comfort at the entrances, adds Olek Gadomski.
The porosity of the facades and the moist plant habitats promote natural ventilation and maintain a stable temperature. The H-plan layout, on the other hand, has made it possible to distinguish differentiated work zones with views of bustling streets, terraces or quiet corners of the park. Materials such as wood, satin concrete and light beige terrazzo create a cosy atmosphere, while floors in shades of warm beige and burgundy brick evoke natural inspirations. Two independent entrances lead to a two-storey lobby with a mezzanine, reminiscent of a covered city square. The orangery and courtyard provide a buffer between the hustle and bustle of the street and the intimacy of the interior.
Historical inspirations
The Office House at Towarowa 22 was inspired by the Dom Słowa Polskiego – the largest post-war printing plant in Poland. JEMS architects introduced the circle motif, which appears in the perforations of the pergolas, skylights and interior details.
The circle motif is also present in the interiors – visible on the ceilings and in the form of lamps. On the top floor, the terrace is covered by an openwork structure with openings. These overlapping elements create an intriguing play of light and shadow, which changes depending on the perspective,” says Maciej Rydz, partner at JEMS Architekci.
The columns inspired by the ‘mushroom’ design of the Polish Word House have been recreated as positives and negatives, emphasising the historical narrative of the site.
design: JEMS Architekci
design team: Agata Drochlińska, Olek Gadomski, Agnieszka Gajewska, Paweł Gozdyra, Paweł Majkusiak, Piotr Prokopowicz, Maciej Rydz, Nadia Sajjad, Anna Świderska
greenery: Pracownia Architektury Krajobrazu Marta Tomasiak
photography: Maria Kot
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