Month: April 2025

Green revolution in Olivia Centre

Posted on by Katarzyna Halicka

Green Olivia – this is the name given to the evolutionary changes that have been introduced at Olivia Centre in Gdańsk since 2020. Pocket gardens, recreational fields, avenues of green trees and an exotic garden are being created on its premises. All this with the well-being of employees in mind, who had the opportunity to speak about the direction of changes during the workshops preceding the changes.

 

The benefits of the presence of nature in human life have been the subject of a number of scientific studies. The conclusions from them prove that there is practically no area of life that would not be positively affected by greenery and vegetation. So far, however, green areas have dominated in residential areas and in urban spaces, but the currently dominant trend of putting human well-being in the center of attention means that pocket gardens are also being developed in workplaces, providing places for relaxation among greenery.

 

One of the latest studies, published by the Journal of Environmental Psychology , contains a broad compendium of the positive impact of human contact with nature. The beneficial effects include reducing stress levels, beneficial effects on the development and stimulation of the senses, and strengthening social bonds. Greenery is also often a very effective barrier, reducing noise levels, allowing you to experience contact with vivid colors, smells, insects. All this reduces stress levels, allows you to soothe, relax and calm down. The positive effects of greenery in the human environment are also important in the professional area: they translate into greater creativity, better relationships in the workplace and efficiency.

 

Communing with nature can also be inspiring and stimulate the creation of inventions that imitate solutions that have been present in nature for centuries. This area is dealt with by the field of knowledge called biomimetics, and it is said that the art of its application was perfectly mastered by Leonardo Da Vinci, whose numerous inventions, such as the construction of a submarine or a helicopter, were inspired by nature.

 

The development of green areas therefore introduces a number of benefits and it is not surprising that this positive impact has also been noticed and is used to an increasing extent in office centres. An excellent example is Olivia Centre in Gdańsk, the largest Polish business centre, which currently has 26,000 inhabitants. m.kw. biologically active areas, among which there is already a green patio with relaxation areas, a fountain, an alley of trees and a pocket garden, as well as 8000m3 of the exotic Olivia Garden. The process of change was initiated on the basis of the results of research among employees of companies that have their offices in Olivia and design thinking workshops, during which they were involved in creative processes of transformation of the environment of their daily work. The projects initiated at that time resulted in the creation of Olivia Garden, the first exotic garden available in a business center in Poland, as well as numerous changes that residents can observe over the past years. However, this is not all and The investor has already started working on the transformation of further public spaces. Thanks to this project, more and more spaces are gradually being turned into green areas and pocket parks full of places to relax.

– In opposition to the ubiquitous high and intensive development, we took care not only of the natural environment, but above all of the comfort of work and rest of Olivia’s residents – says Karolina Bernisz-Grabska, designer from the architectural studio Design Anatomy, which is responsible for the implementation of the project of changes in green spaces in Olivia Centre. ” This natural, friendly and slightly unusual space was created not only to allow the centre to obtain BREEAM or LEED certificates, but also to enable users to return to nature and provide a nice meeting place on hot days. To this end, we have reduced paved areas to a minimum in favor of green islands. They are full of plants, force air flow, store water and are a shelter for insects. The space was met with great approval, and its popularity exceeded our wildest expectations. Encouraged by this success, the investor follows the blow and turns more land into new boutique gardens. Before the reconstruction of the patio, the percentage of greenery was about 5%, after the metamorphosis, greenery accounts for almost 50% of the area. We would like more, but we are limited by the necessary fire roads or communication routes. In the next stages, there will be such curiosities as a section of wild strawberries, strawberries or fruit trees. There will also be a place for a rose garden. Our patio is alive and it is difficult to determine the number of plants. Natural seedlings or self-sown plants appear. Each subsequent season surprises us positively.

One of the most original formats that can be found in office centers is also the exotic Olivia Garden, which has been available to Olivia employees, residents of the Tri-City and tourists since 2021. It is a unique space that is a real oasis of vegetation, where 4 thousand plants from 5 continents and reaching up to 11 meters are located. In the garden there are places for quiet work, integration meetings, a café and a bistro. It is not only an original, but also a very popular place where employees can meet to organize creative brainstorms, focus on work or simply meet with friends during and after work. For tourists, Olivia Garden is a unique space where they can eat exotic dishes, meet friends and relax surrounded by majestic nature.

 

From the very beginning, green areas have been filled with public areas of Olivia Centre and experience has shown that in the season deckchairs spread on the patio, near the fountain, are among the most crowded common areas of Olivia – says Bogusław Wieczorek, representative of the management board of Olivia Centre. It is no different with the avenue of trees, offering shade and respite from the heat on the warmest days of the year. Our first test project of a pocket park was the space between Olivia Star and Olivia Prime and we can openly admit that the popularity of this place exceeded all our expectations. The garden has been developing over the years and enriches our space in a unique way, which is why we are taking further steps to green other spaces of the Olivia Centre.

Design Anatomy will design 245 apartments of Olivia Pulse

Posted on by Katarzyna Halicka

Olivia Pulse is the latest building that will complement Olivia Centre’s offer with a residential function. As a result, a full range of functions will be created in the largest Polish business center and it will gain the status of a real mixed-use project. Design Anatomy will design all the apartments and common areas of the building that is already under construction.

Olivia Pulse is Olivia’s first residential building with 245 apartments for rent. The investment will be characterized by two zones: a four-storey part located directly at Grunwaldzka Avenue, which is the podium of the building, and a 13-storey tower rising above it, located deep at the plot on which the building is being built. Importantly, each apartment is offered with a ready-made interior design, full finishing and equipment. Customers can choose from the following designoptions: Harmony, Vital and Life. Their design is the result of the work of architects from the award-winning architectural studio Design Anatomy, which has completed over 200,000 projects in its portfolio. sq.m. of offices, a viewing floor on the 32nd floor of Olivia Star, a conference space on the 34th floor, as well as numerous architectural and interior design projects of apartments and offices located throughout the Tri-City.

“This is the largest order in the history of our office in the apartment segment ,” says Artur Kuczyński, Member of the Management Board of Design Anatomy. – The new building being built in Olivia will introduce a completely new quality and functions. Olivia will gain residents, and thus a fully alive facility, which after 5.00 p.m. will be filled not only by participants of cultural events, conferences or restaurant customers, but also by permanent residents. Entrusting Design Anatomy with a project of this scale is a unique challenge for us, because as part of the order we have not only the preparation of designs for such a large number of residential units and common areas, but also the investor’s supervision over their implementation. At the same time, we are implementing several other, mainly office projects, so we entered 2025 with a package of orders almost entirely involving our processing capacity, and this gives us an opportunity to develop our office.

 

Anna Branicka, leading architect at Design Anatomy, emphasizes that the interior style will be based on the biophilic design trend, which has not only already been used in Olivia’s previous buildings, but is also close to the philosophy of interior design in Design Anatomy: Our “stylistic direction” is a place pulsating with good energy, supporting well-being and vitality. Biophilic design has been very close to us for a long time and we have worked in this style, designing both the common areas of office buildings and office interiors. At Olivia Pulse, we also introduce as many elements as possible into the interiors that integrate space with nature – large areas of windows not only let in the right amount of natural light, but also open the interiors to beautiful landscapes. To complement these views, we arrange space, using colors drawing from nature, good quality materials, varied textures, atmospheric lighting or plants in common areas.

The designed apartments and common areas are implemented with a modern, but at the same time timeless style in mind, which will allow residents to provide comfort of living in a well-designed interior that has a great impact on the user. As Karolina Bernisz-Grabska, an architect from Design Anatomy, emphasizes, design trends have changed in recent years and design is now more focused on people and their needs than ostentatious effects emphasizing the social status of the resident: We are slowly moving away from flashy trends, which, due to their distinct nature, quickly get boring. As interior users, we are tired of aggressive colors and forms. The chaos and rush of the world around us makes us look for an antidote, a shelter where we can rest and recharge our batteries, which is why we are increasingly choosing a calm, classic, timeless style at home. The interiors are smaller, but more cozy – they feature subdued colors, simple forms and noble materials. The growing environmental awareness also has a great impact on the designed interiors. We give up “disposable” materials for sustainable and good quality. We also introduce technical innovations more carefully – we are not guided by a temporary fashion, but by a practical factor, thanks to which we better adapt them to our own expectations and use them longer, which also has an ecological dimension. We pay less attention to what is trendy, in favor of what we like, what we feel good in. Hence so many sentimental elements – memories reign supreme and the unrivaled style and design of the 60s, which we have learned to define as vintage.

 

The interior finishing styles of the apartments offered to customers allow them to be adapted to the preferences and lifestyle of the residents. The architects proposed three variants of interiors: Harmony, Vital and Life. Harmony style, symbolizing an oasis of peace, was created for people looking for peace and relaxation. The colors of off-white and beige combined with simple finishes and accessories in shades of natural wood are conducive to calming and relaxation. Minimalist interiors, subtle details and natural materials help to create a space that soothes the senses and allows you to break away from the everyday hustle and bustle. In the first part, we have located a kitchenette, which then smoothly transitions into the relaxation area – Karolina Bernisz-Grabska describes this style. Right behind it, we have prepared a bedroom area with a comfortable, spacious bed. The design has been prepared to ensure full harmony of the entire interior.

 

 

A Vital style apartment is a space full of life energy, combining natural earth tones with invigorating green accents. Bright colors create a friendly and fresh atmosphere, while green accents introduce an element of nature, which adds dynamism and optimism to the interior. The furniture has gained a deeper, darker shade of walnut wood, which gives the interior elegance and expressiveness. Subtle accessories complement the arrangement with warmth and coziness, creating a space that combines modern design with natural character, ideal for people who value harmony, contact with nature and are looking for a balance between peace and vitality. As Karolina Bernisz-Grabska emphasizes, the style of this variant of interior finishing has been enlivened with a bit of greenery: The color is supposed to be one of the most fashionable this year, and at the same time it is timeless, as it evokes good associations with nature. We keep accessories in this tone: carpet, chairs or pillows. A comfortable sofa will allow you to rest for a while with your favorite book. We also found a place for a beautiful table that will allow you to enjoy the time spent at an intimate dinner.

 

On the other hand, apartments maintained in the Life style are teeming with warmth and positive energy. Vivid colors inspired by pomegranate and fig fruits fill the interior with joy and create a cozy atmosphere. Intense colors add character and stimulate creativity, making the interior an ideal environment for people who like to surround themselves with expressive, yet subdued colors that affect their well-being. The bathroom, decorated in burgundy and navy blue tones, fits perfectly into the dynamic character of the apartment, while introducing a note of sophistication. As Karolina Bernisz-Grabska emphasizes, this style is a mix of light and colors: Room lighting will play a major role in them: The atmosphere of the interiors is created by the play of light, which harmonizes with the wallpapers and original paintings used on the walls. The fabrics we have prepared for the windows are simple and classic, which gives the interior an elegant note. In the living room, the main accent is a comfortable sofa and a practical table that functionally connects with the kitchenette.

 

In each apartment, bathrooms matching the style and color are also prepared. The main idea that guided the architects was convenience and comfort, and all accessories and equipment are designed with care and the latest trends.

 

Timeless classic solutions, subdued colours and good quality materials are also the leitmotifs of the Olivia Pulse common areas project. The walls and ceiling will be kept in dark tones, which will be perfectly complemented by lighting, as well as the floor and high plinths, made of light-coloured tiles, which will illuminate the passageways – emphasizes Anna Branicka. In the entrance areas on the ground floor, the color and material base will be similar: metal, dark wood structure, wallpapers in shades of brown and beige. There will be more glass, additional colors in upholstery fabrics, individually designed furniture and Mood lighting. The interior we design will be cozy and atmospheric with a hint of modern elegance and, as usual, will be prepared with attention to detail. Olivia Pulse is a perfect complement to Olivia Centre – a vibrant place on the map of the Tri-City – a response to the search for harmony, peace and comfort. Our goal is to create a space with good energy, where you can calm down or relax.

The areas of the premises range from 25 to 63 m.kw. The construction of Olivia Pulse has already begun, and the planned date of acceptance of the premises is the 3rd quarter of 2026.