Elemental Business Centre cooperates with the internationally recognized architecture and design office OAD

The interior of the public spaces for the upcoming office building complex Elemental Business Centre in Skanste is designed by the leading architect of the architecture and design office Open Architecture Design (OAD) Zane Tetere-Šulce and designer Beatrise Dzērve.

The total area of public spaces for both Elemental Business Centre buildings is 1000 m², which consists of two lobbies with an area of 300 m², stairwells and common areas of each floor, showers and changing rooms, as well as sanitary units. In addition, the design for the underground parking lot has also been developed. The founder and leading architect of OAD, Zane Tetere-Šulce, states that currently the main concept has been agreed, while work on details and nuances is still ongoing.

“We are not the original creators of the building, so it was very important to respect the architectural context. The interior cannot be separated from the architecture, and the entire building must tell a single story. As interior architects, we mainly focus on function in this project, for example, showing that the lobby is not just a front room, but also a meeting place, the parking lot is not just a utilitarian tool, but also the first impression of the building for many of its visitors. The design elements used in the common areas are not randomly selected and serve also as navigation tools, for example to help orientate which of the two towers the visitor is in,” reveals Z. Tetere-Šulce.

The designers indicate that the interior of the public spaces will be designed according to three basic principles: form – by choosing natural and durable materials, lighting as part of building navigation, thinking about acoustics and comfort; function – the basic values of the project will be reflected in the reception and information area created in the lobby, a meeting point with active and quiet areas; and feeling – creating a pleasant and conscious atmosphere in which the presence of nature is provided by green plants and trees.

As the sales manager of Elemental Business Centre Imants Krēsliņš says, Kapitel, the developer and owner of the office building complex, at the end of last year chose the solution offered by OAD as the most suitable for the project’s intentions. OAD stood out with its portfolio and experience, as well as a concept that successfully echoes the architectural vision of the buildings.

“The interior perfectly continues the architectural vision of the buildings – to be friendly to the environment and people indoors. The interior of the common areas will serve both as an aesthetic daily enjoyment for tenants and as a practical and convenient tool for building visitors, thanks to the signage included in the design,” says I. Krēsliņš.

Founded in 2006, OAD is one of Latvia’s leading architecture and design offices, which has implemented private and commercial projects of various scales in Riga, Berlin, Dubai, London, Barcelona and elsewhere in the world.

Elemental Business Centre is currently 50% leased. Among the already announced tenants is the hybrid coworking space brand Spaces of the international holding IWG. The project is planned to be commissioned already this fall.

About Elemental Business Centre:
Elemental Business Centre is a new office rental project at Skanstes Street 25, Riga, with a leasable area of 21,000 m² across two ten-storey buildings. The project is currently under construction and the buildings will be commissioned this fall. The project is on track to receive the BREEAM Outstanding rating, ­thus becoming the first building in Latvia with the highest possible evaluation. Energy piles are used in the construction, which will provide up to 72% of the heating and cooling needs of the building, significantly reducing the costs of utilities for tenants.