Adaptable Workspace for a New Way of Working
VINCI Energies, a part of VINCI Group and a leader in energy transition and digital transformation wanted to refurbish the Frankfurt office. As an organization that relies on its team members’ creativity, initiative, and passion, the company’s goal was to attract young talent by offering a workspace with a level of comfort and style unmatched even at home. The company recognized that the office must reflect its team’s diverse needs and personalities. Therefore, the space was designed to adapt to different daily tasks and work styles.
“We wanted to establish a new office space, not only in terms of new fit-out and new furniture, but also with a new way of working. Everybody is different, so why shouldn’t the office space be more diverse? This was the design’s aim and starting point,” says Marcin Grala, a leading architect on the project from Atelier of Architecture.
Mute Modular: The Perfect Fit
The firm considered many solutions, but Mute Modular was a perfect fit. After consulting with the Atelier of Architecture and Nienhaus Bürocenter, VINCI Energies decided to implement 7 Mute Modular units consisting of 9 different zones for meetings, collaborative work, and secluded spaces for solo work.
All configurations were created by architects specifically for the project with the pCon configurator, allowing the designers to optimize the space for the client’s team needs. It was especially crucial because Mute Modular rooms are the only conference space in the office. As a company dedicated to sustainability, VINCI Energies decided to limit the use of traditional drywall partitions to the minimum.
5 Shades of Beautiful Office
In addition to its technical advantages—such as high acoustic performance, high-class configurable, and fully adjustable lighting—one of the key reasons VINCI Energies chose Mute’s adaptable room-in-room system was its stylish design.
There are many room-in-room systems on the market, but only Mute Modular features the design language I was looking for. Room-in-room spaces have to appear cozy and inviting. Sometimes, employees are apprehensive about using new spaces. If the rooms look like grey and boring “telephone booths,” there is a real risk that they will not be widely used. With Mute Modular, I did not have these fears. The design is minimalistic and subtle, but also friendly and inviting,” says Marcin Grala.
Equally important was Mute Modular’s broad color palette. The company wanted to break the monotony of uniform office colors and create a vibrant space that reflected the company’s diversity. The architect selected five colors—Ink Blue, Clay Red, Sage Green, Sand Beige, and Ash Grey—and designed the surrounding areas in complementary tones.
Each color evokes a different mood and feelings. For example, bold and bright Clay Red energizes, while calmer, balanced tones like Ink Blue and Sand Beige boost productivity by making focus and concentration easier. On top of that, each area is named after one city where VINCI Energies operates. “By organizing the space in this way, employees can decide where they want to sit each day, depending on the kind of work they do or mood they’re in,” adds Marcin Grala.
Adaptable and Designed for Change
What sets Mute Modular apart is its ability to reconfigure units whenever needed, whether a company needs an office renovation or to move buildings. Thanks to precisely manufactured wall modules and a unique click-in system, VINCI Energies can create various configurations without significant investment and new materials—an ideal feature for eco-conscious businesses that are always ready to change.
