The recruitment and staffing company Solano Group recently moved into the ground floor of an existing residential building in the town of Góra Kalwaria, Poland with a floor area of over 1000 square metres. Under the leadership of architect Karolina Kowalik, the interior design studio AKA Studio renovated the space by focusing on making it a highly functional workplace that retains a welcoming character. Rockfon solutions, including acoustic ceiling islands, were integrated into the different spaces to optimise the office acoustics and foster a space where employees can work and focus comfortably.
A Welcoming Office Design Concept
Following extensive workshops and employee involvement in the design process, AKA Studio developed personalised solutions to meet the challenges of everyday work at Solano. "Our aim was to humanise the space and create a design that focuses on the environment, takes into account the functional needs of work, and, above all, puts the well-being of people first", said Karolina Kowalik, co-founder of AKA Studio.
The company's office space was divided into two parts: one with rooms tailored to the nature of work for smaller teams, and the other with an open-plan area. To introduce an atmosphere of peace in the interiors and support the concentration of employees, subdued shades of grey and varying blues were used in the working areas where focus is a priority. In contrast, common areas such as bathrooms feature revitalising accents and an energetic orange hue, which stand out against the rest of the office while complementing the primary muted colours of the interior.
Optimising Office Design with Acoustic Islands
In the Solano office, almost 100 Rockfon Eclipse Colour acoustic islands were installed throughout the open spaces, including the corridors, meeting rooms, and individual rooms, to ensure comfortable acoustic conditions. "Instead of full-width acoustic ceilings, we decided to use Rockfon acoustic islands due to the limited height of the rooms. This solution allowed us to maintain the impression of an open space while quieting the interior", said architect Karolina Kowalik, co-owner of AKA Studio.
"Noise intensity has a strong impact on the comfort of the work environment, especially in open spaces, so optimising acoustics was one of the key elements in this project. Rockfon products helped us achieve this while perfectly fitting into our aesthetic vision and the concept of a friendly space", she added.
The design of the new Solano office was also intended to reflect the company's values. "It was important for us to harmonise the colours of the interiors with the company's branding. The wide range of Rockfon colours provided us with full flexibility in terms of design. In the workspaces, we used suspended Rockfon Eclipse Colour acoustic islands in Gravel, and in the bathrooms, Rockfon Color-all acoustic ceiling tiles in an orange shade".
A swing, a comfortable sofa, and a large dining place come together to create a relaxation area. The concept is complemented by Rockfon acoustic products, which optimise the break-out area acoustics and prevent noise from leaking into working areas. "Rockfon ceilings and islands perfectly fit into our project. The wide range of shapes and colours of Rockfon Eclipse Colour and Rockfon Color-all provides a wide range of arrangement possibilities. Thanks to this, we have adapted acoustic solutions to the design of the entire office and, at the same time, have built an atmosphere of cosiness", notes Karolina Kowalik.
