Office Space Renovation in Athens

Flexible variations

The project focuses on renovating offices along Syngrou Avenue to create a dynamic, appealing, and adaptable working environment. The design seeks to enhance the open character of the traditional, repetitive workplace layout by incorporating diverse partitions, modern office infrastructure, vibrant colors, and a variety of materials.

Project Challenge

For decades, the open-plan layout has been the cornerstone of office design, with transparency and openness valued as key contributors to a pleasant working environment. However, this organizational model faced its first major challenge in the late 1990s and early 2000s, as monotonous office spaces increasingly failed to meet the emerging demand for more dynamic and engaging workplaces. This shift was further driven by the rapid digitization of work processes and the resulting sense of worker alienation. The growing technology industry catalyzed this cultural transformation, employing strategies of programmatic distraction and spatial disruption to redefine the modern office.

Design Philosophy

Vibrant workplaces featuring ping-pong tables and informal seating areas quickly emerged as icons of a supposedly more inspiring work environment, reflecting a new approach that blurred the boundaries between working and living in the office. However, the COVID-19 pandemic shifted this dynamic, as most workers expressed a preference for working from home. This compelled companies to reconsider their office spaces, aiming to draw employees back—at least partially—into collective environments that foster greater productivity. The current challenge is to design workspaces that are not only attractive but also flexible and adaptable to a variety of work scenarios.

Material Approach

The renovation proposal introduces a spectrum of informal and formal workspaces, distinguished by varied wall colors and flexible infrastructure layouts. Glass partitions and translucent dividers are strategically incorporated to enhance adaptability, while indoor plants and diverse furniture arrangements are thoughtfully placed throughout to eliminate monotony. Individual desks are seamlessly interspersed with collaborative zones designed for dining, interaction, or meetings. These informal spaces are delineated by electrically operated curtains, creating soft, translucent boundaries.

Much like in fashion, the interior is conceived as a dynamic composition of colors, materials, and layouts, designed to evolve in response to shifting ideological and spatial demands. The open floor plan serves as a versatile foundation, capable of accommodating future aspirations and the evolving needs of the workplace.