Design that works: Kinnarps Offices

Noise in offices is certainly not a welcome companion. It causes fatigue, irritability, and loss of concentration. According to California scientists, it takes employees an average of 33 minutes to return to their original level of concentration after an interruption. So how can we effectively deal with noise in offices while also giving them an original design? This was elegantly resolved by architect Marcin Cieśla in Wrocław, Poland, who found inspiration in the Netherlands.

Mondrian on the Ceiling

The avant-garde of the 20th century undoubtedly influenced world art and interior design. One of its main representatives was Dutch abstract artist Piet Mondrian, known for his extraordinarily specific style. Whenever someone sees his geometric lines and color combinations, it is clear that he is the author.

Mondrian's distinctive, symmetrical lines also fit perfectly into the decor of many interiors – including office spaces. "I was inspired by the beauty of Mondrian's lines, the relationships between them, and the magnificent effect they have on the space," says Marcin Cieśla, the architect of the mentioned offices in Wrocław, Poland. However, the masterpiece is the combination of the Dutch artist's work with modern functionality.

Functional and Geometric Design

In the Kinnarps office, an acoustic system Ecophon Master Eg was installed, which allows for the creation of specific geometric patterns and is highly variable. Moreover, due to the four-centimeter thickness of the panels, it is very acoustically functional and perfectly absorbs sound over a wide frequency range. Therefore, it is suitable for large office spaces and other areas where there are increased demands for noise absorption and superior spatial acoustics.

"I chose the Ecophon Master Eg panels precisely because they perfectly allowed for the Mondrian arrangement," says Marcin Cieśla, and continues: "An office must have an energy that can stimulate the creativity of the people using it. Therefore, it is the task of interior designers and us architects to create workspaces that are energetic and inspiring. However, this cannot be the only aspect that needs to be considered. A modern interior must also be functional and provide optimal working conditions – including acoustic ones."

Color and Shape Variability

The black-edged ceiling system Master Eg used in the Kinnarps office allows for the concealment of the edges of the load-bearing panels, giving a floating impression. Designers can also use various formats and colors of the panels.

“In the case of Kinnarps offices, a monochromatic color geometry was chosen, but the system is available in up to 22 Akutex FT colors. Additionally, it is possible to integrate point and square lighting of 600x600 mm into the panels, which increases the brightness of the interior, and the resulting effect is impressive,” says Wojciech Jórga, the sales and marketing director of Ecophon Poland.

Learn more about Ecophon on their website HERE.