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Workplace was tasked with completing the Mediabrands offices as a bright and functional space in Warsaw, Poland.

Mediabrands Poland is part of the international Interpublic group. The group manages marketing investments in media worth about $40 billion. Mediabrands Polska includes the UM and Initiative agency network, as well as brands such as Reprise Media, U2, BPN, Mediabrands Social and Mediabrands Studios. The company combines the competencies of a media house, interactive agency and performance agency.

The story of the city all over again
Six years ago, in exactly the same location on Wołoska Street in Warsaw, we designed an office for another media house – Mediacom. Our design received acclaim from the media industry.

We wanted to distinguish the local branch of this global company. We were looking for a way to make design associate positively, to give energy. We chose the most unique, well-known and vibrant places from the capital. We then wove them into the office design. The office was also very functional. We were ahead of our time. Even then, we allocated 50% of the space for activities other than individual work at a desk.

After 5 years, the owner of Mediacom gave up the office at 24 Woloska St. We heard that Mediabrands, in turn, was looking for an office for itself, so we offered them this location. They agreed and suggested that we design the space. Monika Bronowska (CEO of Mediabrands) stressed that the new office should be attractive to young employees. So we designed the Warsaw office for the second time! Today, completely different places are fashionable (PKP Powiśle, Warszawa Główna, Nocny Market), so the design has undergone quite a few changes.

New old project
Mediabrands has entrusted us with the design of a new headquarters for 300 employees in 2020. The office chosen by the company at 24 Woloska Street in Warsaw has 2600 sqm. It occupies two floors, on the 9th and 10th floors, which are connected by an internal staircase.

The prerequisite was to use as many fixed elements from the previous fitout as possible. -We entrusted Workplace with the implementation of our office decor for two reasons. The first was the board’s positive experience from previous implementations. The second was a very good knowledge of the space on Woloska Street. This made it easier for the Workplace team to use the potential of the project to reflect our expectations and needs in the design. – notes Agnieszka Wisniewska, Office Manager at Mediabrands.

The project involved two Mediabrands team members and three Workplace architects. We started conceptual work in late 2020. Due to pandemonium and negotiations with the tenant, the Mediabrands team could not move into the new premises until spring 2022.

Office a city close to the heart
Mediabrands’ new office was created mainly with the youngest generation of employees in mind – Generation Z (under 25). It presents Warsaw as a city familiar and close to the heart. The design of the individual zones in the office refers to the neighborhoods where the favorite places of young Varsovians are located.

Flexible office supports modern work
We have adapted each of the “neighborhoods” to a hybrid work model. There are areas for meeting in smaller and larger groups, as well as areas for focused work. We also designed a networking zone where employees can meet, have a meal and talk freely. The spirit of “young” Warsaw is emphasized by characteristic elements of the scenography, such as the Mermaid neon sign.

The National Library in the Mokotow zone is a place for those seeking quiet. Cozy, soundproofed workstations are surrounded by natural wood and plants.

Design: Workplace
Project Team: Dominika Zielińska, Bogusz Parzyszek, Tomasz Wontor, Aleksandra Piotrkowicz, Michał Pyka, Urszula Dziedzic, Maciej Kolak, Damian Bieniek / SpaceID, Agnieszka Wiśniewska, Mikołaj Zglenicki, Grzegorz Gaj
Photography: Adam Grzesik