Ministry of Labour and Social Policy refurbishment

The design was guided by two primary goals. The first was to create a space that, through architectural expression, would convey the gravity of the central government office while also projecting an image of openness and accessibility to citizens. The second goal focused on the durability of the project in both use and aesthetics, especially since the investment was funded by public resources.

From a functional perspective, it was important to make the new building entrance more accessible and easier to navigate compared to the previous one, which involved reorganizing traffic circulation at the ground level. Both measures helped ensure barrier-free accessibility.

The refurbished building is situated in central Warsaw, at the intersection of Bracka and Nowogrodzka Streets, housing the office of the Polish Minister of Labor and Social Policy. Constructed after WWII with a reinforced-concrete frame, the building replaced three destroyed tenement houses. The renovation included remodeling the basement, ground floor, mezzanine, and part of the facade.

Spatial interpenetration plays a key role in expressing the facility’s openness. The entrance hallway and arcade, benefiting from abundant glass and open internal circulation, seamlessly connect to the foyer serving three conference rooms. Bright colors paired with vivid accents throughout the design elements work to demystify the space.

The two-story hall, foyer, and main conference rooms lend an elegant character, achieved by removing large sections of existing ceilings without interrupting building operations. Detailed architectural features and premium finishing materials emphasize the space’s special nature.

The floor features three types of natural stone and red stone conglomerate, combining white, gray, black, and red tones into a unique interior detail, mirrored in the reception wall and column claddings with curved natural stone. Columns were reinforced with concrete clamps.

Custom lighting fixtures and a red varnished glass installation accentuate the main entrance axis and reception area, while carefully placed wall lamps create a subtle rhythm, softening dominant wall colors.

As stated, one of the design aims was to ensure that, despite advanced material engineering often reducing product lifespans, the building would surpass usual service life limits without major renovation. Durable and easily maintainable materials were chosen, alongside simple geometry, to ensure timelessness.