Front Office Apa Nova Ploiesti

Authors’ Comment

The Place
The project involved the fit-out of the Apa Nova Ploiești customer service centre, located in a protected area in the city centre, within the protection zone of two historic monuments.

The Threshold
Built in the 1990s and of little architectural value, the building remains a dissonant presence in the existing streetscape. The brief did not include the building itself, only the interventions needed for the centre to function: minimal changes to the façade and entrance, designed to respect the character of the area. The street-facing fence was removed as a gesture of openness towards customers and the city. The freed-up space now holds planters, seating and bicycle parking, turning it into a welcoming threshold.

Atmosphere
The interior was designed to feel warm and friendly, following the principles of biophilic design as a nod to the parent company Veolia's commitment to nature and ecology. We wanted a visit to a customer service centre, usually associated with bureaucracy and waiting, to become a more relaxed and more human experience.

At a Glance
The two consultation areas, the two-desk cashier's office and the security post are arranged along the perimeter. The centre of the room is left open, creating an overall sense of openness towards the public. From the entrance, visitors can find their way at a single glance.

Layers
We chose to keep several elements of the old building as a record of the site's layers of time. The existing monumental staircase was restored, and the ceiling was stripped back to reveal the exposed concrete. Beneath it, a brick-toned painted aluminium ceiling forms a rhythmic grid that visually defines and anchors the central area. The colour brings in a warmth reminiscent of the area's traditional materials and connects old and new.

Closer
Rounded walls and furniture carry the biophilic language further, as do the large nature prints, the first thing that catches the eye on entering. The result is an open, bright and welcoming place that brings the company closer to its customers.