The new Deloitte offices are designed in a listed building in Patras, and they stretch on 5 levels and on 2.400 sq.m. An atrium is created in the middle of the building to bring natural light in the spaces, while two new staircases provide vertical circulation between the floors and ensure the safe escape from the building.
An industrial look is chosen for all levels, with exposed MEP installations, without an access ceiling, in memory of the old industrial use of the building. At the same time convivial and homey qualities are adopted and developed, in order create a comfortable warm space for the employees, whereby productivity is enhanced by making people “feel at home”, as opposed to “work from home” which tends to prevail recently.
Therefore, warm surfaces, colours and textures are chosen in order to bring out this feeling, while the composition of spaces, the configuration of working and collaboration spaces as well as elements such as fabric curtains, sound absorbent panels, and exposed lighting fixtures along with the exposed MEP ceiling installations, create a modern yet friendly working environment.
The ground level is taken up by the entrance lobby as well as two training rooms that can be converted into a larger one, while two entrances, a main one and a secondary one are servicing the building. The first floor is partly taken up by the dining hall and the common kitchen, and partly by office spaces and meeting rooms. The three upper floors have identical layout and are entirely taken up by offices and meeting spaces of various types and configurations. Offices are by and large open plan, while closed offices for managers and directors can be found on all floors.
Finally on every level one can find: a set of coffee station and seating area for short breaks, a group of WCs with a WC for the disabled, and various niches with comfortable armchairs for seating, having a break, meeting with fellow employees or even working on the laptop in a more relaxed manner.
Externally, the building has been carefully restored to its original state, and even the random holes in the wall, initially used for drying goods, have been kept. Nevertheless, the roof was partially altered from the one of the old building, so as to create a small flat roof for all the mechanical installations.
Design:
Architectural Design: ATEMA Architects
Structural Design: Panagiotis Panagiotopoulos & Associates
MEP Design: DASE