How will Concordia Design in Poznań change?
Michal Karbowiak
In the Poznan market, for example, we see a huge demand for comfortable office space, well connected to other parts of the city, but also offering tenants much more than just a "floor". We know how to create such spaces.
Interview with Ewa Voelkel-Krokowicz, CEO of Concordia Design
Will we see Concordia Design anew in 2023?
In a way, you could say that (laughs). We decided to thoroughly modernize the Concordia Design office area on Zwierzyniecka Street. We've been operating for more than a decade, so it's only natural that we want to change and respond to the needs of modern business.
What needs do you see in the market?
In the Poznan market, for example, we see a huge demand for comfortable office space, well connected to other parts of the city, but also offering tenants much more than just a "floor". We know how to create such spaces.
In recent years, we have gained a lot of expertise in creating "flexes" - that is, serviced offices - as well as coworking spaces and helping companies grow. We are confident that we will also make great use of this in our location in the heart of the city.
What specifically will he change at Poznan Concordia?
Two floors and part of level -1, where Concordia Taste restaurant currently operates, will be completely transformed. Throughout the space, we will create nearly 30 serviced offices for startups, small and medium-sized companies, as well as unique coworking. In addition, there will be a common area, acoustic booths, meeting rooms or chillout rooms - everything you need when running a dynamic, growing organization. The offices will range from 30 to 100 square meters, and can accommodate teams of 6 to 18 people.
What will be the nature of these spaces?
We wanted Concordia's new spaces and interiors to make us feel surprised, but not frightened or dominated. These are meant to be unobtrusive interiors, where we feel comfortable, like at home. Warm, cozy, in a sense more timeless than following some fleeting trends, forcefully modern. The interiors must match the character of the building, which, after all, dates back to the early 20th century. At Zwierzyniecka Street, we have been successfully combining the "old" with the "new" for years, respecting the historical heritage, skillfully adapting it to new times. I am convinced that during the current modernization we will do it again.
What did you put a special aspect on when designing Concordia's interior remodeling?
With Bidermann + Wide studio, with whom we worked on the project, the environmental aspect was very important to us. We wanted to leave the smallest possible carbon footprint and take care of the planet. We paid attention to low carbon emissions and the 3R strategy from the English words reduce, reuse, recycle. We didn't want to create something new by force. We preferred to take advantage of what is already there. Part of the modernization will be based on existing building elements.
In addition to the impressive infrastructure, what should tenants of the building expect?
An important part of our concept is to create a thriving community of entrepreneurs. We will connect them with each other, organize events, provide valuable contacts and encourage joint projects. We have many years of experience in this area. In fact, we have actually been doing this since Concordia opened.
What has changed in this area since 2011?
More than 10 years ago, this was a novel approach. Companies could count on the support of our consultants, we organized events for them. Then we worked more with representatives of the creative industry: graphic designers, agencies. Today we are also shifting towards IT companies, technology startups. So I feel that we are consistently following the chosen path, adapting our activities to new circumstances and clients.
Read more about the design of the new office spaces at Concordia Design Poznań here:
