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Architects: Robert Konieczny + KWK Promes
Lead Architect: Robert Konieczny
Design Team: Michał Lisiński, Katarzyna Pająk, Karol Jackiewicz, Karol Knap, and Krzysztof Kobiela
Client: Gambit System
Photographers: Juliusz Sokołowski

Concept

Gambit, a pipe trading company, commissioned us to design an office building and warehouse to be their outstanding showcase. Yet, we were asked to do it as low-cost as possible.

So I came up with the idea to refer to the material they trade in, which they would also have it at cost. We wanted the office and warehouse building to form a unified monolithic whole. As a result, we designed it to look like a pipe warehouse, which immediately manifests what the company does.

Form

Although a production hall once stood on this site, the nearest buildings are residential houses with steep roofs, often adjoined by long, cubic outbuildings. Hence the final form of the building. 

The Gambit building is clearly visible from the street and forms a front while when viewed from the side of a residential area, its disjointed body fits into a diffuse context.

Material

In the end, the façade was not made of Gambit pipes, typically used under the ground, because it turned out that they would oxidise when exposed to UV rays, and furthermore they did not meet fire requirements. Therefore, we decided to use cheap, raw aluminium sheet. This material had been used before and we liked the way it ages over the years - it takes on a patina and tarnishes over time. The pipes on the edges of the building were blinded to prevent them from whistling in the wind. Also, we purposely did not use anti-bird nets, hoping that they would find a home here.

Interior

The interiors are well daylighted by classic windows and skylights, as well as the offices dedicated to permanent occupancy are designed so that employees have a view of the building's green garden or roof terrace. In case of hot weather, the windows are protected by shutters.