BXB Studio’s Hybrid Interior: Redefining the Modern Architectural Workplace

The story of this project began in 2018, when Bogusław Barnaś, founder of BXB Studio, made the bold decision to transform the practice into a fully remote studio long before the pandemic. The team left their Kraków Old Town office, replacing it with a small unit in Zabłocie that became Barnaś’s main workspace. What seemed like a risky move soon improved both lifestyle and creative efficiency, eliminating commuting and enabling work from anywhere. When COVID-19 arrived a year later, the studio was already prepared for remote operations. As the team expanded, BXB Studio opened a new base in Warsaw and welcomed members from across Poland, making nationwide and international projects easier to manage.

The project later received the prestigious International Property Award, one of the world’s most respected distinctions established in 1993. Today, regional editions across Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East honor outstanding architectural achievements globally.

According to Barnaś, the Warsaw unit reflects the studio’s philosophy: a hybrid space combining a creative workplace with a 20 m² micro-apartment. Inside are architectural models, a mural inspired by the House with a Cave project, and custom sculptures by Piotr Popiacki—such as the cast-iron Scorpion table referencing BXB Studio’s Scorpio shelters and a Wawel Dragon sculpture symbolizing the team’s Kraków origins.

Located in Warsaw’s artistic Praga district, the new headquarters occupies a 70 m² unit in a building designed by TZA, winner of the Mayor of Warsaw’s Award. Surrounded by greenery and historic tenements, the neighborhood is undergoing a creative revival with galleries, studios, and cultural institutions. The redesigned interior offers 50 m² of studio space and a flexible micro-apartment that can be arranged as a three-room layout or opened into a bathing lounge.

The workspace features a table, sofa, and office zone that can be acoustically separated with a folding glass wall. Two balconies surrounded by greenery act as outdoor work areas in summer. A custom mural wall conceals the entrance to the private apartment and displays Popiacki’s sculptures. Another standout element is the sculpted Scorpion coffee table, a signature symbol of the studio.

The renovation began by removing all interior partitions, gaining 2 m² and creating two large, open zones. A multifunctional veneer-built structure now replaces a full wall, offering wardrobes, office storage, model displays, and BXB Studio’s first furniture design—the Puff Uff seat. The studio continues to develop new patented furniture pieces, including the Lotus Flower sofa, Wave coffee table, and DNA table.

Throughout the interior, handcrafted ceramics by Marta Mączka, iconic pieces like Zięta’s Plopp stool and Philippe Starck’s lemon squeezer, and restored Polish furniture enrich the space. A neutral palette of beiges, earthy tones, and oak wood is complemented by an oak Loft Decora table, Dorian chairs, and an AXO Light pendant framing the central axis of the room. Large windows reveal lush trees acting as natural sun regulators, while solar-powered external blinds eliminate the need for air conditioning.

Carefully designed artificial lighting highlights artworks and models, while a minimalist kitchen blends into the studio setting. Black elements tie together the workspace and bathroom, which features black lacquer, glass enclosure, and Omnires fixtures. The interior also houses Popiacki’s Hybris sculpture and architectural models such as the Eco Warsaw Tower and the award-winning Polish Farmstead. A Patrzyk painting from the Library series anchors the micro-apartment, where light tones, oak textures, sliding panels, and large mirrors enhance the sense of space.

The Hybrid Interior embodies a new model of architectural practice—local yet global, creative yet efficient, flexible yet rooted in identity. It reflects a shift toward sustainable, distributed work while maintaining meaningful in-person collaboration. As Barnaś notes, the hybrid system allows individuals to work in the environments where they feel most creative, offering both freedom and connection. This approach has redefined not only the studio’s workflow but also its culture, aligning modern technology with a more balanced, human-centered way of practicing architecture.

Photography: Marcin Grabowiecki