Legible boundaries

The interior design of a 300 m² office space for an insurance company is conceived as a study in transparency, spatial continuity and organizational clarity. The proposal introduces the notion of the “capsule” as a primary morphological and functional device, structuring the workplace through a series of transparent volumes that articulate the program while preserving a continuous visual field throughout the interior.

 

Spatial Organization

Departing from conventional enclosed office typologies, the design employs glass volumes to accommodate private functions such as meeting rooms and executive offices. These “capsules” operate as lightweight architectural insertions within the open-plan layout, allowing natural light to permeate the entirety of the space while maintaining visual connections across departments. The workspace is thus conceived as a unified environment, where boundaries remain legible yet non-restrictive, supporting both collaboration and autonomy.

 

 

Material Palette

Materiality plays a decisive role in shaping the atmosphere of the interior. Exposed cable trays mounted on metal rails, perforated metal panels and glass block partitions foreground the infrastructural and technical dimension of the workspace. In contrast, neutral surfaces introduce a layer of warmth and balance, establishing a dialogue between industrial expression and a more domestic sensibility. This juxtaposition produces a spatial identity that is both precise and inviting.

 

 

Lighting Design

In the entrance, a large-scale perforated metal screen defines the first spatial threshold. Acting as a semi-transparent filter, it subtly delineates the reception area while maintaining visual permeability toward the open workspace beyond. Light and movement diffuse through its perforated surface, enabling a gradual transition from the entrance zone into the interior.

Lighting design further reinforces the spatial reading of the project. Linear fixtures trace the primary axes of circulation, while sculptural and directional lighting elements accentuate specific zones of work and interaction. Combined with the abundant daylight entering through large openings, the lighting strategy enhances the rhythm, depth and clarity of the interior environment.

The resulting workspace is defined by openness, adaptability and a coherent spatial language. Through the interplay of transparency, material contrasts and light, the project fosters a dynamic environment that encourages collaboration while accommodating moments of concentration and privacy within a unified architectural framework.

 

Highlighting the grid

The OTE Headquarters in Athens is the realized architectural study of a multi-storey office building, star-shaped in plan, based on the proposal that was awarded second prize among twelve selected entries. The project concerns the renovation and reconstruction of office and communal spaces from the 2nd to the 13th floor; a decision made in 2019 within the framework of modernization and energy upgrading of the building envelope.

 

Building history and structure

The construction of the original volume began in 1974, with several modifications to the initial plans, while the building was ultimately put into operation in the 1980s, consolidating all services of the “Hellenic Telecommunications Organization.” On a plot of 52 stremmas, a building with a total floor area of 65,000m² was developed.

The new proposal for the interior layout of the office spaces followed the structural grid of the existing shell. The superstructure consists of three rectangular wings, connected through a central circular core of vertical circulation. Each of the 13-storey wings was designed on a vertical structural grid of 1.25×1.25 m, expressed on the façades through external, non-structural, horizontal and vertical reinforced concrete panels. A similar approach is applied to the circular core, where the panels are exclusively vertical and arranged in a radial configuration. Each wing was “divided” into three longitudinal zones, each corresponding to six openings of 1.25m, resulting in a total width of 7.50m per zone.

 

 

Functional organization

In this way, alternative work modules were developed in full correspondence with the building’s structural grid. In the two lateral zones of each wing, both open-plan and enclosed office spaces were arranged, along with dedicated meeting rooms. In these areas, which benefit from natural light and unobstructed views, the arrangement of workstations in two groups of four creates a maximum unit of eight workstations.

The four corner zones of each wing were enclosed with fixed partitions, accommodating special uses, alternating between executive offices, workspaces, collaboration areas, meeting rooms, relaxation zones, creative spaces, rest areas, and spaces for employee retreat.

Movable, flexible, or fixed partitions for integration, repetition, or separation can accommodate – with mechanical precision – all possible conditions of flexibility, functionality, and adaptability. In the central zone, aligned with the structural grid, meeting rooms, sanitary facilities, and support spaces are developed.

 

 

Design Interventions

These include meeting rooms and areas, WCs, a closed kitchen, printing and copying rooms, semi-open meeting booths for private discussions, and open communal spaces for gathering and relaxation. A significant portion is occupied by the existing central core, which houses MEP spaces and the emergency staircase, while a dedicated project/meeting room at the top level, along with the distinctive design and material selection of the entrance area, complete the central zone.

The primary function of the central circular core is circulation and communication, and secondarily, it accommodates auxiliary uses such as WCs and storage areas. Interventions were kept to a minimum, focusing on the refinement of existing material finishes or the localized addition of new ones, the redesign of lighting and ceilings, and the introduction of custom constructions and selected furniture pieces in the radial, curved areas for rest or breaks between the wings.

In one of these areas, the open food service space (cafeteria) was fully upgraded according to specifications, with new elements, lighting, and equipment. Similarly, the WCs were upgraded through the replacement of partitions, claddings, and sanitary fixtures.

 

 

Material Palette

Key parameters in the process of design, selection, and application methods of materials were compliance with the requirements of LEED and WELL Building Standard certification systems.

The construction materials follow the logic of a central design strategy, with consistent choices in flooring, acoustic ceilings, and lighting, combined with numerous variations in claddings, textures, colors, subtle tonalities, material qualities, and furniture equipment. In this way, each wing and floor forms a distinct yet unique visual identity, resulting in a cohesive compositional and aesthetic outcome aligned with the new concept of the study.

The architectural design of the new interior layouts of the headquarters, along with its subtle visual differentiation on the façade (through the replacement of aluminum frames), completes its aesthetic identity, fully implementing the requirements of certification systems, while respecting the existing shell and reinforcing the building’s established presence in the urban consciousness of a major organization.

 

Evolving environment

The interior architecture of the Brazilian headquarters of the global law firm White & Case, emerges from a refined exploration of how local identity can coexist with an international corporate framework. Rooted in a synthesis of tradition and contemporaneity, the project foregrounds the human experience while articulating a spatial narrative shaped by cultural, behavioral, and functional parameters.

 

Design Philosophy

The conceptual approach is grounded in a deep reading of place, where intangible cultural attributes and patterns of use inform the spatial composition. Every design decision, from the incorporation of Brazilian materials and artworks to the selection of furniture by local designers, operates as a deliberate gesture toward expressing identity without resorting to clichés. The result is an environment that is both welcoming and stimulating, fostering engagement through subtle yet meaningful references to locality.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The layout is structured around a continuous and fluid spatial sequence that connects communal areas, such as the reception, café, and landscaped terrace, with private workspaces and meeting rooms. Open-plan workstations are complemented by acoustic solutions, phone booths, and adaptable meeting spaces, supporting a range of working modes. Retractable partitions enable meeting rooms to shift between openness and enclosure, reinforcing a flexible and dynamic office environment. This adaptability extends to the reception area, conceived as a transformable space capable of hosting events or accommodating more formal, everyday functions.

 

 

Material Palette

The material palette draws from natural references, with wood and stone employed to evoke the textures and tones of the Brazilian landscape. A gradual chromatic transition from darker tones at the core to lighter hues toward the perimeter, enhances the perception of depth and spatial progression. Curvilinear elements in floors and partitions, inspired by the work of Roberto Burle Marx, introduce a sense of continuity and movement, reinforcing the project’s fluid spatial identity.

Finally, the project integrates structural and programmatic strategies that anticipate future change. By embedding adaptability into its core, the design responds to evolving workplace demands while addressing the broader issue of spatial obsolescence. The office thus becomes not only a place of work but an evolving environment, capable of renewal, responsive to context, and expressive of both corporate and cultural identity.

 

Shared core

The redesign of the Wealth Management department offices of a dynamic securities company in Athens presented an opportunity to upgrade employees’ everyday experience by improving the qualitative and functional aspects of their working environment. The offices occupy the ground floor of a six-story building dating back to the 1990s, where the existing condition served as the basis for a contemporary reinterpretation of the space.

 

Design Philosophy

A primary objective of the study was to provide sufficient workstations for a continuously expanding team, while also addressing needs for comfort, sound insulation, collaboration, and flexibility. The main challenge lay in accommodating a large number of users within a limited floor area, further complicated by the team’s hybrid working model.

The spatial organization is structured around an elongated, communal “core,” which functions as the main axis of circulation and activity. This core incorporates workstations, a lounge area, storage units, and auxiliary functions, while the more private workspaces are arranged around it. These include offices of varying capacity, an executive office, a meeting room, and supporting spaces such as a kitchenette and WC.

 

 

Material Palette

The dissolution of rigid boundaries is achieved through the use of glass partitions, enhancing visual continuity and reinforcing the perception of the space as a unified environment. At the same time, the “stripping back” of the building envelope – through the removal of suspended ceilings and the exposure of the structural and mechanical systems – introduces an aesthetic of honesty and industrial clarity.

In contrast to the exposed structural elements such as concrete, metal, and visible installations, the material palette is enriched with warm and tactile qualities: woven vinyl flooring in sandy tones, natural walnut veneer surfaces, upholstery fabrics with subtle color accents, and integrated greenery. The result is a balanced composition between technical austerity and spatial warmth.

 

 

Lighting & Acoustic Design

Lighting design played a crucial role, given the uneven distribution of natural light within the ground-floor space. Through a combination of direct and indirect artificial lighting, adjustable shading systems, and specialized window films, a balanced luminous environment is achieved while minimizing glare.

At the same time, acoustic comfort is ensured through the use of sound-absorbing materials, such as perforated surfaces, fabric shades, and specialized flooring, contributing to a calm and productive working atmosphere. Guided by the principles of clarity, transparency, and honesty, the project shapes a multifaceted and flexible workspace that encourages interaction, supports concentration, and enhances the overall daily experience of its users.