BNP Paribas at The Orbit in Athens
Kugelgarn® for high-end office spaces in the financial sector
| Owner: | BNP Paribas Greece, GR-Athens |
| Architecture: | Space Matters Architects, GR-Athen |
| Flooring: | Kugelgarn Graffiti® playa 353 |
| Delivery form: | Modules |
| Total area: | 520 m2 |
| Photographer: | Space Matters Architects, GR-Athen |
In the heart of Athens, a new workplace for BNP Paribas has been created, one that goes far beyond a conventional office. Spanning approximately 600 m², it forms a spatial ecosystem for around 50 employees, defined by light, calm, and a clear architectural vision. Embedded within a LEED-certified building, the project stands as a model for a sustainable and forward-looking work culture.
A Workspace with Clear Structure
The elongated floor plan led to the division of the open space into two distinct zones defined by the centrally located meeting rooms. Designed as an autonomous internal volume and wrapped in glazed ceramic louver columns, this core acts as an anchor element for the surrounding workspace.
Workstations are arranged around this central element, creating clear circulation paths, a coherent layout, and a harmonious sense of space. Transparent, gently curved surfaces and textile partitions balance openness and retreat. Daylight is softly filtered and distributed evenly across the entire floor, generating a calm, rhythmic flow of light that supports focused work.
Materiality, Acoustics, and Atmosphere
Materials play a key role in the design concept, both visually and functionally shaping a balanced spatial experience. Kugelgarn® is used in the Graffiti Playa quality as a durable, acoustically effective textile covering. It contributes noticeably to the calm atmosphere and, with its textile depth, harmonizes perfectly with the restrained palette of colours and forms.
The interplay of sound-absorbing surfaces, open ceiling areas, and deliberately placed retreat zones creates a pleasant acoustic balance which is essential for modern team and project work. Flexible meeting zones and acoustically shielded pods offer varying degrees of privacy and support a wide range of working modes.
Timeless, Functional, Durable
The interior design is intentionally understated, complemented by warm, residential accents that emphasize a human scale. The result is a work environment that avoids fleeting effects or trends, focusing instead on longevity, well-being, and functionality.
Kugelgarn® integrates seamlessly into the overall concept—as a sustainable and high-performance floor covering that meets the demands of modern LEED-certified workspaces while contributing to atmosphere, comfort, and identity.
Sustainability as a Foundation
LEED certification sets demanding standards for energy efficiency, material selection, and indoor environmental quality. Accordingly, great importance was placed on sustainable solutions, not only in technical installations but also in the choice of materials. Kugelgarn® plays a significant role in this context:
This textile flooring stands out for its durability and low-emission properties, supporting key LEED criteria. Thanks to its robust structure, Kugelgarn® retains both its functionality and visual quality over many years. This is an essential factor for conserving resources and reducing lifecycle costs. At the same time, its ease of maintenance helps minimize the use of cleaning agents and water.
The new BNP Paribas headquarters demonstrates how architectural clarity, sustainable material choices, and carefully orchestrated daylight can create an environment that fosters concentration, collaboration, and balance.
General materials supplier: Progetto, GR – Chalandri
Lighting design: IFI Architectural Lighting
Building services engineering: Giannis Skiadas Engineers
PM-Construction : Pyrna Co IKE