A Tour of Capexus’ New Prague Office

Michal
Architecture firms
1 year ago

Architecture and interior design firm Capexus recently moved into a new office in Prague, Czech Republic which they designed themselves.

“Design-focused, diverse, flexible, experiential, well thought out and ultimately ours. In the River Corner building, we have built an entrance lobby with reception and brand new offices that reflect our extensive experience, unique needs and unmistakable corporate culture. And the result? You can now experience it with us.

The key difference in this project was the client – us. What are our requirements for the working environment, what do individual teams need and what activities do we plan? Our previous offices had become too small for us over time, and in retrospect we have to admit that towards the end of our time in Nusle ” the cobbler’s children had no shoes”.

The chosen concept of “living showroom” is an example of a modern workplace that clients can see in person. Diverse, design and original elements can be found in every corner of the 1,482 m2 space.

“We did not design the offices only with our colleagues in mind, but also with our clients. We tried to create an inspiring multifunctional space where you can go for a lecture, a meeting, a cup of coffee or to design your new office. It was a challenge to give such a multifunctional space a pleasant expression, while maintaining a high degree of flexibility and variability,” says Martin Židek, our Co-Head of Architecture.

Feedback collection was a natural part of the design process, as confirmed by Lucie Hudák Malá, Head of Workplace Consultancy: “We felt a great responsibility towards all our colleagues. That’s why we conducted surveys, in-depth interviews with team leaders and held workshops.”

“Our offices have always been full of life, but now it’s even more so. That’s why it was important for us to come up with a concept that can provide visitors with a unique experience and showcase the latest trends. At every step, we surprise with thoughtful details, original design, and a focus on quality. Just as it when you choose CAPEXUS. And the reactions of those who visit us? They are evidence that our intention has truly been transformed into reality,” adds our Business Director, Monika Younis.

Thoughtful layout

Creating a fully functional layout was crucial for us. The goal was to design an airy, clear, and open space without sacrificing privacy and acoustic comfort. Departments that need more peace and quiet are concentrated in the quiet inner courtyard, while the constantly moving sales department is located close to the client area.

The impressive views of the Vltava River and Vyšehrad are also an integral part of our offices. The placement of each meeting room, phone booth, desk, or chair was thoroughly discussed within the entire project team.

The offices are divided into two wings. One houses teams that design and draw, while the other hosts teams specializing in execution. The central café serves as a symbolic link between these two phases. The positioning of teams to some extent reflects the logical sequence of our Design & Build projects. The emphasis on flexibility also brings a high level of variability in the working style, which changes throughout the workday.

Space as a Showroom

We had a clear vision of the design of our new offices. We wanted to showcase all trends and possibilities when it comes to such ceilings, floors, walls, surfaces, and interior furnishings while maintaining a unified design concept. Our “living showroom” took several months to create, and we have realized that designing offices for ourselves is a different discipline than designing for others.

The color palette reflects different neighborhoods (architects, sales, cost managers…). Dominant materials include wood (natural birch plywood), glass (clear, colored, textured, and curved), and metal. Linear lights set the direction of movement in the space, circular lights dominate over workstations and in the café. Worth mentioning are also live, artificial, hanging, and climbing plants. Together with the hydroponic wall, they create unique decoration and enhance the coziness of the space, making it an emotional experience.”