Situated on the northern coast of Poland, Pracownia emerges as an architectural response to the interplay of urban edge and natural tranquility. The project, an expansion of OMNI Kaiser Patisserie, engages with the surrounding landscape, where the urban realm fades into a patchwork of fields and forests. In this setting, the scent of grain and the gentle rustle of foliage inform the design’s sensibility.

Pracownia Technical Information

• Architects^1-7: ACOS (A Collection of Stories) + Studio Widoki
• Location: Outskirts of Słupsk, Northern Poland
• Photographs: © Tomo Yarmush

Pracownia is conceived as a place where material honesty and spatial clarity foster a seamless dialogue between craft, context, and contemporary work culture.

– ACOS Architects

Pracownia Photographs

Design Intent: Spatial Strategies and Programmatic Integration

The client’s ambition transcended the need for a purely functional workspace. Beyond providing administrative and collaborative areas, the project sought to articulate the synergy between the artisanal production of pastries and the ethos of innovation embedded in the brand. The result is a spatial narrative that acknowledges existing conditions while embracing a forward-thinking evolution of the program. At its core, the project is an exploration of how architecture can mediate between production, craft, and the human experience.

The design strategy prioritizes clarity and adaptability within a compact footprint. By relocating vertical circulation and critical program elements outside the envelope of the original structure, the architects created a new glass pavilion that redefines the building’s public interface. This intervention is an addition and a re-articulation of the site’s spatial logic.

The careful arrangement of shared and individual spaces supports intuitive navigation, reinforcing the flow from the bustling production areas to the contemplative workspaces above. Public functions, including the reception and social amenities, are organized within the first floor’s existing volume, creating a clear distinction between communal and private zones. Meanwhile, the external pavilion houses the director’s office and conference room, enabling these spaces to maintain a measured detachment while still engaging with the larger context of the atelier.

The spatial hierarchy is defined by a sequence of thresholds, from the double-height lobby to the intimate director’s office. Each transition is an opportunity to recalibrate the relationship between user and space, reflecting the iterative nature of the design process itself.

Materiality and Architectural Language

Material choices within Pracownia are grounded in a restrained palette that speaks to both the local context and the tactile qualities of craftsmanship. Wood, stone, and metal dominate the language of the interior, with these elements articulated through carefully proportioned volumes and surfaces. The materiality is not static; it shifts and adapts to frame a series of experiential moments.

The lobby, defined by vertical wooden panels, establishes a warm and enveloping entry sequence. Textile ceiling screens echo the geometry of the floor, introducing a sense of rhythm that carries through the space. Polished steel and glass reflect and refract the changing light, creating subtle shifts in perception throughout the day. The glazed partitions and skylights in the workspaces diffuse natural light into the building’s core, fostering a sense of openness and connection.

Bespoke elements, from the reception desk to the conference table, are integral to the architectural composition. These objects, crafted with the same rigor as the building itself, reinforce the project’s commitment to material honesty and spatial integrity. The inclusion of artwork by Polish artists such as Jerzy Cepiński, Oskar Zięta, and Eva Jablonsky underscores the layered cultural narrative woven into the space.

Broader Contextual Significance: Sustainability and Place-Making

Pracownia’s design extends beyond aesthetic and programmatic considerations to address environmental stewardship and the evolving nature of work. From the project’s inception, the architects engaged with the challenges of reducing the carbon footprint associated with both construction and ongoing operations. This approach is reflected in the selection of locally sourced materials and in the careful orientation of the building to maximize daylight while minimizing thermal gain.

Renewable energy systems, including photovoltaic panels and wind turbines, contribute to the building’s operational independence. The heat generated during production is repurposed to warm office spaces, integrating the culinary craft with the building’s environmental performance. The integration of underfloor heating, air conditioning, and automated shading systems within a single responsive network underscores the precision with which the building’s environmental systems are calibrated.

Nature is a constant presence within Pracownia, not merely as a backdrop but as an active participant in the architectural composition. Stone slabs extend seamlessly from interior to garden, reinforcing the continuum between built and natural. Vegetation introduced on the upper floor, nourished by carefully placed skylights, punctuates the workspaces with a sense of life and renewal.

Pracownia Plans

Pracownia Image Gallery

About ACOS (A Collection of Stories)

ACOS (A Collection of Stories) is a multidisciplinary design studio known for its holistic approach to architecture and interiors. Rooted in a deep respect for context, materiality, and craftsmanship, ACOS crafts spaces that harmonize contemporary needs with enduring cultural and environmental values. Their work is distinguished by a careful balance of narrative richness and spatial clarity, often resulting in projects seamlessly integrating architecture, interior design, and landscape.

Credits and Additional Notes

1. Interior Design: ACOS (A Collection of Stories)
2. Client: OMNI Kaiser Patisserie
3. Local Architect: Hubert Stenzel
4. Feature lighting: QUASAR, A-N-D Light
5. Decorative lighting: Audo Copenhagen, Normann Copenhagen, New Works, Nordlux, Hubsch, Areti, Juniper, Bert Frank
6. Furniture: Tacchini, VIPP, Karimoku Case, HAY, &Tradition, Vitra
7. Finishes: Kvadrat, Fletco, Baux, Woodnotes, Vesstige, Vescom, Equitone