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Research, strategy, design | Archicom

Research, strategy, design | Archicom

#research #strategy #work environment

The Polish property development company Archicom has changed more than just its headquarters with us. The result of our cooperation is a new office which supports the company’s organisational culture and the property development process, as well as benefits both employees and clients.

 

A company with tradition

Archicom SA Group is a developer of flats and office buildings operating in Wrocław, Tricity, Poznań, Kraków and Łódź. The company has 34 years of experience, originates from an architecture office and today manages the entire property development process, gathering in its structures both the expansion and commercial department, as well as the departments of: marketing, sales and residential client service, formal investment service, investment implementation and logistics. The company also has a new design studio and support departments, namely finance and accounting, legal, personnel, IT and administration departments.

After almost 3 decades, the possibilities of developing the office space in the historic Pflug’s Villa have ended. Due to the growth of the company’s size and the very nature of its business processes, Archicom was located in as many as 2 locations. The showroom was located on the ground floor of the Renaissance Business Centre building at ul. św. Mikołaja, and the after-sales process was dealt with on the upper floor. Business and strategic meetings were held at the company’s headquarters – the Pflug’s villa in a different part of the city, which hindered cooperation between departments.

 

 

Opinions about the future of the headquarters were divided. Some employees, although fond of the cosy villa full of little nooks, found it lacking the amenities of a modern office building. Others, on the other hand, were attached to the historic office that seemed to have ‘a soul’, fearing that the move into an office building, even if designed by themselves, would deprive them of an important element of corporate identity.

Due to this difference of opinion, the company asked us to investigate the needs of the employees. Our task was to analyse the organisational culture of Archicom and provide the management board with recommendations for the further decision-making process regarding the change of headquarters.

Implementing projects from the smallest detail to entire neighbourhoods teaches us that the best solutions are reached through dialogue and participation. To determine the optimal strategy, we entrusted the project to Workplace specialists experienced in change management in large organisations. The choice of Workplace was based on the professionalism of the team and the mutual understanding we developed from the very beginning.

Małgorzata Hendrich-Żugaj, Lead Architect, Archicom SA –  SRDK Archicom Studio Śródka

 

Relocation? Reflection first!

In order to analyse the working style and needs of Archicom’s employees, we conducted quantitative and qualitative research in two locations. 199 employees participated in the analyses. We conducted the quantitative research using questionnaires containing 29 questions, to which 67% of employees responded. The qualitative research consisted of in-depth interviews with employees (10 days), as well as with management and executives (4 days).

Anthropological observations, workshops with management and employees, as well as internet research were also part of the process. The findings were intended to provide insights into 3 key areas that influence the work environment strategy: space, organisational culture and work organisation.

 

 

During the consultations it became clear that the division of Archicom into two locations required more time, energy and good organisation on the part of both employees and clients. A large number of employees also complained about the lack of space and poor ergonomics of workstations. In addition, the existing work organisation did not allow for a home office mode, although as many as 90 per cent of employees declared their willingness to work in this manner.

The conclusion of the research? Archicom’s move to a new office will also involve a continuation of the development of the company’s organisational culture and work model.

 

 

Architects for architects

During the consultations it became clear that the division of Archicom into two locations required more time, energy and good organisation on the part of both employees and clients. A large number of employees also complained about the lack of space and poor ergonomics of workstations. In addition, the existing work organisation did not allow for a home office mode, although as many as 90 per cent of employees declared their willingness to work in this manner.

The conclusion of the research? Archicom’s move to a new office will also involve a continuation of the development of the company’s organisational culture and work model.

 

 

New office, new quality of work

The headquarters of Archicom, occupies over 3 thousand square metres in the LEED Gold certified City One office building. The project is the result of close cooperation with the SRDK Archicom Studio Śródka design team. Thanks to the change management elements which we introduced, the employees have easily stepped into the new reality.

 

 

The new office and work space have been organised in a way that reflects the development process. Project collaboration is seamless and employees are not only more comfortable, but – more importantly – can also work efficiently. Common spaces foster creativity as well as integration and the building of a corporate community by encouraging the exchange of information. The office, although modern, has retained the atmosphere of a cosy villa filled with works of art.

All elements of the property purchase process are now located in one place. Clients who visit the Archicom headquarters in City One and the Showroom can now handle all matters comfortably and comprehensively.

 

 

Cooperation with Workplace was very fruitful. As experts in related fields, we have intensively exchanged views and ideas, which has proved to be very creative. Our employees have stated numerous times that they welcome the change.

Dorota Jarodzka-Śródka, CEO, Archicom

 

The Archicom headquarters relocation project is one of our most successful research processes. The synergy of experiences of both teams and the openness of the client helped to create a space that not only reflects the company’s identity but above all supports its further growth.

Katarzyna Gajewska-Kulma, Workplace Strategy Manager, Workplace

 

Archicom in numbers:

  • Scope of services: organisation research, business consultancy, work environment strategy, design concept
  • Area: 3,000 sq m
  • Number of employees: 200
  • Number of floors: 1
  • Location: City One building, Wrocław
  • Duration: May – December 2019

Authors:

Workplace:

  • Research team:
    • Dominika Zielińska, Team Leader, Strategy Development
    • Katarzyna Gajewska-Kulma, Workplace Strategy Manager, Research Lead
    • Monika Pietrosian, Workplace Consultant, Strategy Development
    • Melania Ziarko, Research Support
    • Kaja Abdank, Research Support
  • Design team:
    • Katarzyna Gajewska-Kulma, Team Leader, Senior Architect
    • Ewa Jędras, Architect
    • Małgorzata Romanowicz, Architect

Archicom:

  • Architects:
    • Dorota Jarodzka-Śródka
    • Małgorzata Hendrich-Żugaj
    • Gabriela Cader
  • Interior Architect:
    • Agnieszka Romaniec
  • 3D Modelling:
    • Dawid Urbaniak
    • Łukasz Cikacz
  • Sanitary Installations:
    • Rafał Grabarczyk
    • Maciej Kulik

Story: Marta Smyrska, Grażyna Zawada

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