Tag: KNOWLEDGE

Key trends of the labour market 2026 presented for the first time at the Olivia Centre

Posted on by Katarzyna Halicka

The labor market has changed and we already have a new reality in place? Nothing could be further from the truth. The changes that are yet to come are as significant as those that have appeared as a result of the pandemic. At the Olivia Centre in Gdańsk, Manpower Polska presented its latest report on the labour market, which shows that in the coming years, the key to success will be fast learning and flexible adaptation to change. The year 2026 will bring high expectations of employees, greater selectivity on the part of employers and the growing importance of qualifications.

 

At O4 Coworking (Olivia Centre), Manpower Polska presented the premiere conclusions from the “Trends and Remuneration Report 2026” and discussed 16 key trends shaping the labour market. The culmination of the meeting was a panel of experts with the participation of Labour Market Experts, which turned into a real discussion – with polemics and references to the report.

 

Among the 16 key work trends listed in the report were: redefinition of the roles of leaders and employees, as well as work itself, the increase in the importance of AI-assisted work and the use of automation. In the new model of work, there will be an increase in the importance of project work and a demand for employees who are quickly learning new skills. Among the key competencies will be readiness for quick training, the ability to use artificial intelligence and the possession of pre-industrial skills (problem-solving skills, cognitive flexibility, creativity, empathy, self-reflection and a high level of use of interpersonal communication tools).

 

These trends will be implemented in an environment of changing social norms. The coming years will bring a return to office work, but only until the generation currently accustomed to hybrid work begins to perform high management positions. A decline in confidence related to the decline in the prestige of leaders, geopolitical instability and the unpredictability of climate change will also be of great importance for the labour market, which will translate into job insecurity, increased unrest and political polarisation. The use of automation and artificial intelligence will result in pressure on energy demand, and this will increase the importance of personnel specializing in green energy sources and scaling systems that allow it to be developed.

 

The authors of the report also point to significant challenges related to changes in business models: the maturity of enterprises will increase the pressure on succession processes in companies. This will be done with the awareness of the talent shortage, demographic decline, decline in professional activity and, as a result, economic uncertainty. Changes in the labour market will also be influenced by the decline in the role of higher education and the lack of ambition and motivation to act as leaders. These factors will result in a decrease in the number of personnel aspiring to take up managerial positions and perform leadership roles, and will affect the possibility of intergenerational transfer of knowledge and skills.

 

The presentation of the report was summarized in a debate of labour market experts. As he points out, Magdalena Białek, Strategic Account Leader at Manpower the key factors that the HR environment in Poland currently lives by were at the center of the conversations: The participants of the debate devoted a lot of space to the role of IT juniors, the shortage of experienced specialists and the impact of labour market regulations, including internships and forms of employment, on the availability of talent. Attention was drawn to a paradox: with rare participation in formal training, Poles learn intensively on its own, which supports economic growth. Experts also emphasized that in the age of artificial intelligence, HR with the ability to verify competencies is more important than ever. The participants unanimously assessed the meeting as substantive and inspiring, and the number of references to “AI” symbolically showed the scale of technological transformation.

 

As Maciej Kotarski, director of Olivia Centre, and one of the participants in the debate, emphasizes, one of the most noticeable trends in office work is currently the growing pressure to implement artificial intelligence solutions: These processes move from the experimentation phase to become part of business operations. There are growing expectations that AI-based solutions will become a source of key competitive advantages. Software companies report that their customers have high expectations for AI implementations even when there is no real need for it in a given company. Investments in people with skills to build and operate artificial intelligence are increasing, although the accuracy of many of the models currently available is low for the time being, and the number of errors requires constant human control. At the same time, exchanges are handsomely rewarding companies that are able to effectively and visibly implement AI, e.g. by reducing teams and cutting costs. This is even hitting tech companies and the software services sector, where new tools are making work redundant that recently required months of work by entire teams. Where the reductions are not spectacular, the number of job offers for juniors is decreasing. This process is increasingly reminiscent of technological revolutions, driving huge capital expenditures on infrastructure, data centers, and computing power – emphasizes Maciej Kotarski.

 

The Trends and Remuneration Report 2026 is available for download on the Manpower Polska website

SGH Open Day, Thinking Zone, Thinking InBusiness. Models. Decisions. The future

Posted on by Katarzyna Halicka

We invite you to a unique event! There are moments when education ceases to be just a transfer of knowledge. It becomes a conversation about the world – about how we understand the economy, how we make decisions and what happens when reality begins to overtake the models that were supposed to describe it. The SGH Open Day × Thinking Zone × Thinking InBusiness is just such a space. It is a meeting for young people facing the choice of further educational path, as well as for parents and teachers who want to better understand the changing world of economics, technology and competences of the future. Participants of the event will take part in lectures, talks and a discussion panel led by academic lecturers, researchers and business practitioners. It will be an opportunity to look at the modern economy from different perspectives; from the financial system and business models to the social consequences of technology development.

 

When and where do we see each other?

 

  • See you on April 1, at 9:30 a.m. at Olivia Sky Club | Olivia Tower | 12th floor | Olivia Centre
  • The event is free of charge. Registration required!

 

Who is this event for?

 

  • eighth-grade students,
  • high school students,
  • parents and all people interested in modern education,
  • teachers and school principals.

 

Event schedule

 

09:30 – 10:00 | Registration of
participantsWelcome guests and meet in the Olivia Sky Club space.

 

10:00 | Official opening of the event

 

10:00 – 11:30 | Keynote speech: “Money and its forms”
Lecturer: prof. Ph.D. Agnieszka Alińska, Warsaw School of Economics

Introduction to the role of money in the modern economy. Participants will learn about the process of money transformation – from cash to digital solutions – and learn about the importance of the financial system for the functioning of the market, the state and everyday economic decisions.

Form: lecture combined with mini-workshop.

 

11:30 – 11:45 | Break

 

11:45 – 12:30 | Practical application of business
modelsLecturer: Rafał Kołodziej, CEO of Greenhat Innovation, co-founder of FutureS Thinking Group

From economic models to decision models. A meeting dedicated to how companies and institutions are building models to support decision-making in a world of increasing complexity and uncertainty.

 

12:30 – 13:00 | Lunch break

 

13:00 – 13:30 | When models are no longer enough. Competence in the liminal world
Lecturer: Edyta Sadowska, PhD, strategic futurist, researcher and academic lecturer

A conversation about the world of transition – a time when the current framework is no longer enough and the future is not yet in a stable form. What competencies allow you to find yourself in the reality of constant change?

 

13:30 – 14:15 | From the economy of pleasure to the economy of
addictionEconomics like dopamine – how do companies take control of us?
Lecturer: Ada Florentyna Pawlak, PhD, technology anthropologist, lawyer and art historian, academic lecturer (SWPS University, AGH)

A reflection on the new logic of the digital economy, in which relationships, emotions and the ability to build engagement become a space for value creation.

 

14:15 – 14:20 | Short break

 

14:20 – 15:05 | Discussion panel

The main question: Is the bigger challenge of the modern economy the wrong decisions – or the wrong models on which these decisions are based?

 

15:05 – 15:30 | Thinking Zone Tour
Visiting the space of the Thinking Zone High School and the SGH Academic Class.

 

Sign up for the event

 

 

Why is it worth participating?

This event is an invitation to talk about how young people can prepare for a world that is constantly changing. Because the future does not belong to those who know all the answers. He is one of those who can ask the right questions.

 

Contact


hello@thinkingzone.pl+48 780 728 699

 

 

Sign up for the event

 

 

 

Sign up for the event

We are starting spring cleaning in Olivia!

Posted on by Katarzyna Halicka

Spring is coming, so we are starting a large-scale cleaning in Olivia! In the coming weeks, we will systematically refresh and tidy up common spaces – green areas, patios, garage halls, shower changing rooms and infrastructure around buildings. Winter did not spoil us, so there will be a lot to do:) Check here, because more information about our activities will be presented here.

 

What lies ahead in March?

>

Cleaning up outdoor areas

 

From March 16 , we will start cleaning work on the outdoor area around Olivia’s office buildings. The works will primarily include the removal of road salt residues after the intense winter period and the cleaning of the entrances to the main buildings.

 

Of course, all activities will be carried out during the day, outside the morning and afternoon rush hours, to minimize possible difficulties. Building security will also take care of fencing off the area for the duration of the work, so that you feel comfortable and safe.

 

The estimated time of completion of all works is about two weeks.

 

Repair of the surface of the upper car park B


On Friday, March 20 , we will start repairing the asphalt surface in the upper car park B. The works will last until late in the evening on Saturday, March 21, with the possibility of extending them on Sunday, March 22.


To enable the renovation works to be carried out efficiently, the upper car park B will be closed to users on Thursday, March 19 at 7:00 p.m.

 

Please do not park your vehicles in the upper car park B on the indicated dates: from Thursday, March 19 from 7:00 p.m. to Sunday, March 22 at 09:00. Lower car park B remains at your disposal during this time. The entrance to the lower car park B will take place from Marii Janion Street (former Bażyńskiego). On the above dates, the barriers of the lower car park will be raised.

We park only in the lower car park B (green)

 

Entrance from Marii Janion Street, turn into Marii Janion Street from Grunwaldzka Avenue.



>


Cleaning in bicycle changing rooms



The next action will take place on March 26-28 (Thursday-Saturday) – then we will carry out a general cleaning and refreshment of the bicycle changing rooms.


 




We ask that all private belongings, such as shoes or towels, be hidden in your lockers by March 25 (Wednesday) at the latest. Items left outside the lockers will be taken by us and disposed of. 


 


During the works, the bicycle changing rooms will be temporarily closed. We ask for your understanding and patience. This is a temporary inconvenience, and the result, we hope, will be dazzling.


 




This is just the beginning of our spring activities. In the coming weeks, we are planning further cleaning and refreshment work in various parts of Olivia. We will keep you informed about the details, and there will be more specific actions, because we want Olivia to look as good as possible with spring.

	


	





	

		
EXTRAS in the MyOlivia app. Check out what’s new!
		

			Posted on  by Katarzyna Halicka		

			


	

		
Of course, we can do a lot more with the My Olivia app. We won’t go into too much detail here. Przypomnimy dziś o EXtrasach. Warto tu zaglądać, by wiedzieć, z jakich zniżek możemy aktualnie skorzystać. 


 


Olivia’s extras in My Olivia


What is it? Special offers, promotions, discounts that can only be used by employees of Olivia companies. To access the Extras, you must have a confirmed Resident Status. Find out how to do it below and keep in mind! We will be developing the Extras option, so it is worth checking here. 


We also invite our Service Residents, who have attractive discounts and promotions, to apply to us, we will place them in the application.


 






Resident status step by step




 


    

  • Download the My Olivia app from the App Store or Google Play.
    • 

  • Register in the application using your business address (an address in the domain of a company that is located in Olivia).
    • 



 




When registering, use your business address, which is an address in the domain of the company you work for. This is very important, because when you provide your business address during registration, you will be granted the status of Resident automatically as soon as you click on the activation link sent to you to the e-mail address provided during the registration process.


 


 


    

  • If you do not see the activation email in your inbox, first check your SPAM. It happens that this type of correspondence (registration confirmations, orders, purchases) falls into this folder.
    • 

  • Search for the activation email by the sender “My Olivia → app@oliviacentre.com”, and if you still don’t have it, write to us on aplikacja@oliviacentre.com.
    • 

  • You can also use the contact form available in the application → the “Contact us” option in your MyOlivia panel.
    • 



 




The “Contact us” option in the MyOlivia app


 




Self-activation of Resident status


 


    

  • Go to the MyOlivia app.
    • 

  • Then in your user profile, i.e. click on the human icon (upper right corner of the application).
    • 

  • Select “Activate Resident Status” and follow the guidelines.
    • 

  • Tick the appropriate box: activate the status when you have an address in the company domain (point 1 in the graphic below) or activate the status when you do not have an address in the company domain or the e-mail address provided during registration is your company address (point 2 in the graphic below).
    • 



 






Remark! When applying for the resident status in case 2 (no address in the company domain…), enter the name of the company and the building in which you work/have an office  in the “I work in a company…”

window. 


 


 


    

  • Resident status should be activated within 3 working days.
    • 

  • Remember to click on the activation link that will come to your e-mail address.
    • 

  • If the process of self-activation of the Resident status fails, write to: aplikacja@oliviacentre.com
    • 





Self-activation of Resident status


 




MyOlivia app: parking lots and Olivka points

MyOlivia App: discover its features

MyOlivia app: Resident status


 


 


 


Enjoy!


 



	


	





	

		
Year of Leadership 2026. Read the GFKM report
		

			Posted on  by Katarzyna Halicka		

			


	

		
In a world of cumulative changes, transformation ceases to be a project. It becomes a competence – organizational and leadership. Get to know the “Year of Leadership 2026” report, prepared by our resident, GFKM (Gdańsk Foundation for Management Education). This is the fifth edition of the survey – previously carried out under the name “Year of the Leader” – which provides an in-depth diagnosis of the condition of leadership in Poland year after year.


 


[DOWNLOAD THE REPORT]


 


A survey based on data, not sentiment


The report is not a soft opinion survey or a set of general reflections. It is a practical tool for assessing the quality of decisions, operational risks and the resilience of an organization in times of contradiction.


 


In this year’s edition:


    

  • 400 leaders from small and medium-sized companies and large organizations were surveyed,
    • 

  • In-depth qualitative interviews with managers were carried out, allowing to capture the context and real decision-making mechanisms.
    • 



 


The respondents were asked, among other things, about:


    

  • effective management in conditions of conflicting expectations,
    • 

  • transformations planned for 2026,
    • 

  • organizational culture as the foundation for strategy implementation,
    • 

  • challenges related to strengthening and motivating teams.
    • 



 


This combination of quantitative and qualitative data allows you to look at leadership not only through the prism of declarations, but through real decision-making experience.


 


Diagnosis of 2025 and forecast for 2026


The report shows that 2025 – despite the increase in operating costs – was seen as a time of relative stability. At the same time, leaders point out that the key challenge is no longer individual goals, but the efficiency of the entire organization is becoming one.


 


The conclusions are unambiguous:


    

  1. Effective change is not just about implementing it, but about involving people in its design,
    2. 

  2. Organizational culture is becoming a real test of agency – although most leaders declare their support for the strategy, as many as 91% of companies have difficulty translating values into everyday practice,
    3. 

  3. The year 2026 promises to be a time of accumulation of change, which means that leadership competencies will be defined primarily by the ability to guide people through the transformation process.
    4. 



 


The report answers key questions:


    

  • How do leaders sum up 2025 – what was the biggest challenge and what was the disappointment?
    • 

  • What are their hopes, fears and priorities for 2026?
    • 

  • In which areas of development do they see an advantage in the coming year?
    • 

  • What – despite the tensions – fills them with optimism?
    • 



 


Eight Pillars of Leadership and Recommendations


The report organizes the conclusions around the eight pillars of leadership that define the effectiveness of transformation and the quality of decisions in organizations in 2026. Each of the pillars has been supplemented with specific implementation recommendations.


 


Importantly, the report contains separate indications for management boards, middle managers and HR departments, taking into account their different perspectives, scope of responsibilities and impact on organizational culture. Thanks to this, the publication is not only a diagnosis, but also a practical map of activities for the entire management structure.


 


[DOWNLOAD THE REPORT]


 


Presentation at the Olivia Centre


The conclusions of the report were presented during the 34. Meetings of the Olivia Centre HR Club, becoming a starting point for discussions about the quality of decisions, organizational culture and the readiness of companies to lead people through change.


 


The meeting showed that there is a growing need in the business environment to talk about leadership understood not as a position, but as the ability to build agency, resilience and effectiveness under pressure.


 


How to build an advantage in times of contradiction? What competencies do leaders need in 2026? You will find the answers in the “Year of Leadership 2026” report.


 


[DOWNLOAD THE REPORT]


 



	


	





	

		
Labour Market Trends 2026. Join us for the premiere of the Manpower Poland report
		

			Posted on  by Katarzyna Halicka		

			


	

		
On behalf of Manpower Polska, we cordially invite you to a meeting dedicated to the latest trends in recruitment and talent management. Experts will share practical tips on how to effectively respond to the challenges of the labor market and build strategies to attract the best employees.  The event will also be a great opportunity to exchange experiences and have inspiring conversations with experts and labour market leaders. 


 


During the event, the premiere presentation of the “Trends and Remuneration Report” data will take place. The report presents 16 key trends that will shape the labor market in the coming months. 


 


Date: 3.03.2026


 


Time: 9:00 – 11:45


 


Venue: Jupiter Room, O4 Coworking, Olivia Centre,  Al. Grunwaldzka 472, Gdansk


 


9:00 – 9:45

Networking and registration


 


9:45 – 11:15

Premiere presentation of the “Trends and Remuneration Report” 

data The report presents 16 key trends that will shape the labor market in the coming months.


 


IT in the AI-native

 eraThe transition to an AI-native world, competency shortages, cybersecurity, and recruitment challenges that will define 2026.


 


Discussion panel

The future of work – how are AI and demographic change redefining roles and competencies in organizations?

The debate will focus on demographic challenges in the labour market – the departure of experienced employees and the shrinking talent pool. Experts will also discuss the impact of AI on organizations and professional roles. Participants will learn how to combine the potential of people with technology to build future-ready companies.  


 


11:15- 11:45

Networking with refreshments


 


 


The number of places is limited.

Registration: event@pl.manpowergroup.com


 


 




 

	


	





	

		
Olivia Centre welcomes new medical centre
		

			Posted on  by Katarzyna Halicka		

			


	

		
“Harmonia” Mental Health Clinics are a type of facilities of the LUX MED Group developed throughout the country. Patients of all ages will find help in mental health and personal development. 


 


The development of the Harmonia clinic network is related to the growing needs, but also to social awareness in the field of mental well-being and care for one’s own well-being and the well-being of loved ones. In the new facility, patients can take advantage of the advice of psychiatrists, psychologists, neuropsychologists, sexologists, psychodieticians and speech therapists. It hosts individual, couples and family consultations, both in the form of stationary visits and in the form of video consultations and telephone consultations. The facility also offers psychological diagnostics, cognitive functioning tests, as well as diagnoses of ADHD, the autism spectrum in both children and adults.




Located on the first floor of Olivia’s newest building, Olivia Prime, the facility is designed to support therapy and improve the well-being of patients and staff: filled with bright colours, wood, plants and comfort-enhancing soft upholstery fabrics for the sofas and armchairs. The architectural office Design Anatomy was responsible for the detailed design of the facility, and the implementation was on the side of Construction Plus.


 


– Renting space in Olivia Centre is another important investment for us. We are all the more pleased to be present in the complex at Grunwaldzka Avenue, as it is the first facility of the LUX MED Group network of Mental Health Clinics “Harmonia” in the Tri-City. We wanted a well-connected location that was easily accessible to patients, while offering a modern, friendly infrastructure. Olivia Prime fully meets these expectations by providing a space designed to support the treatment process – both functionally and aesthetically. We are convinced that the presence of “Harmonia” in Olivia will make a real contribution to improving the availability of professional mental health care and increasing the comfort of patients using the services of our Group  – says Robert Kalota, Director of the Investment and Administration Department of the LUX MED Group.




 


– A wide range of medical services and diagnostics broadens our attractiveness not only for employees of companies with their offices in Olivia, but for every resident of the Tri-City – says Bogusław Wieczorek, Olivia’s Board Representative. – The “Harmonia” Mental Health Clinic, the leader of private health services in Poland, of the LUX MED Group, is another medical facility in Olivia. Previously, the inhabitants of the Tri-City could use the medical offer of two Medicover facilities, as well as a pharmacy. This is part of our policy of providing not only high-quality space for doing business, but also well-being – this is what the largest botanical garden in Pomerania, Olivia Garden, which offers places for meetings, quiet work and relaxation among majestic greenery, but also a two-storey fitness club, numerous sports clubs, the development of passion and social integration. We also support local initiatives that improve the quality of life in Oliwa, the district of Gdańsk where Olivia is located, so I am pleased to emphasize that we are part of the living social organism of the entire Tri-City. 


 


Fig. Lux Med’s own materials

	


	





	

		
Open Days at the Thinking Zone
		

			Posted on  by Katarzyna Halicka		

			


	

		
In February 2026, Thinking Zone Primary School and High School invite families to Open Days at the Olivia Centre. It is an opportunity to see an innovative model of education up close, get to know the staff and experience the atmosphere of a school where learning is based on curiosity, cooperation and reflection. 


 


Dates and times





What is a Thinking Zone?


Thinking Zone is a school based on the proprietary VESS methodology and the Project Zero philosophy of Harvard University. Education here focuses on developing critical thinking, creativity, social competence and entrepreneurship. Instead of the pressure of evaluations, a culture of feedback, dialogue and cooperation dominates.


Students learn through action, experimentation and reflection – in spaces designed to support the learning process, m.in Malort, STEAM, Grow Zone, Chill Room and Art Zone.


 


Why does the Thinking Zone stand out on the map of schools?


It is a place where:


    

  • Education adapts to the student — not the student to the system.
    • 

  • Each project develops creativity, logical thinking and the courage to act, instead of learning by heart.
    • 

  • Instead of the pressure of grades, a culture of feedback, trust and cooperation dominates, which strengthens the child’s sense of security and agency.
    • 

  • Learning takes place through action, experience and reflection, and not just by memorizing content.
    • 



 


During the Open Days, parents can see how the Thinking Zone:


    

  • supports students in discovering their passions, talents and strengths,
    • 

  • develops empathy, communication and responsibility for oneself and others,
    • 

  • builds entrepreneurial thinking and the ability to work in teamwork in real projects,
    • 

  • helps young people consciously plan their further educational and life path,
    • 

  • It strengthens self-confidence, curiosity about the world and readiness for the challenges of the future.
    • 





What awaits the participants of the Open Days?


During the meetings, you will be able to learn about


    

  • recruitment rules and the first months of study,
    • 

  • the way the VESS Model works in practice,
    • 

  • the role of educational spaces and additional activities,
    • 

  • the school’s approach to emotional and social development,
    • 

  • Thinking Zone methodology.
    • 

  • how the school teaches to think in motion – Thinking InMotion – and develop entrepreneurship.
    • 

  • how the school supports each student emotionally and socially,
    • 

  • what a Thinking Zone student’s day looks like through the eyes of a student,
    • 

  • which is offered by unique spaces: Art Zone, Malort and STEAM.
    • 



Each meeting will end with a walk around the facility and a Q session.




Recruitment 2026/2027


Recruitment for the 2026/2027 school year is already underway. Participation in the Open Days requires prior registration – the number of places is limited.




Location


Thinking Zone

472 Grunwaldzka Street, 80-309 Gdańsk

Olivia Centre | Olivia Gate B | 1st floor


How to enter the building?

At the reception of Olivia Gate B, you must collect the guest’s entry card (upon presentation of your ID) and then take the elevator to the 1st floor.


 

	


	





	

		
Gdynia is 100 years old!
		

			Posted on  by Katarzyna Halicka		

			


	

		
On February 10, 2026, exactly 100 years have passed since Gdynia was granted city rights. This is one of the fastest and most symbolic urban development stories in Poland: a small town on the Bay of Gdańsk has become a modern city-port, designed “from scratch” and oriented towards the future.


 


The foundation: the port and the state project of modernity


Gdynia in the Second Republic of Poland became a response to the real need for Polish independent access to the sea. The construction of the temporary port began in the spring of 1921, and the formal beginning of the Port of Gdynia is the Sejm Act of 23 September 1922 – it was the port that initiated the demographic, infrastructural and economic development of the city.


 


It is most often said that Gdynia was “designed” by Eugeniusz Kwiatkowski. In fact, he was a strategist and architect of ideas – a man who determined the creation of the city-port, provided political and financial support for the investment, and gave it a symbolic dimension of modern Polish. However, the actual spatial shape of Gdynia was developed by a team of urban planners and architects, primarily:


    

  • Roman Feliński – chief planner of Gdynia’s development in the 1920s and 1930s; co-creator of a clear layout of streets, relations between the center and the waterfront and the logical division of the city into port, residential and representative functions.
    • 

  • Adam Kuncewicz  – co-responsible for the concept of spatial development and the connection of the city with the port facilities.
    • 



They were the ones who made Gdynia not a chaotic investment entity, but a coherent urban organism, where the port, downtown and residential districts complemented each other.




@jkszphotography | freepik


 


An icon of interwar modernism


The centre of Gdynia is unique on a European scale as a coherent ensemble of modernist interwar architecture. In 2015 the modernist centre of Gdynia was declared a Monument of History; In the official materials of the city, m.in scale of the area (approx. 88 ha) and the number of facilities (approx. 450 buildings) are emphasized.


 


Characteristic features of Gdynia’s modernism are:


    

  • simple, geometric solids,
    • 

  • horizontal window strips (so-called “ship windows”),
    • 

  • corners emphasized by semicircular towers,
    • 

  • terraces, loggias and glazed staircases,
    • 

  • Aesthetics inspired by ship architecture and functionalism.
    • 



 


The most important buildings and their creators


    

  • The Sailor’s House (1937–1938) – designed by Jerzy Müller 
    
An icon of Gdynia’s modernism over Kościuszko Square; A light, horizontal body with characteristic window strips and a maritime character.
    • 

  • Tenement house of Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (1936) – design. Zbigniew Kupiec, Stefan Reychman 
    
The monumental and at the same time elegant façade at 10 Februara Street is an example of institutional modernism of the highest class.
    • 

  • Bank Polish (1930–1931) – designed by Wacław Tomaszewski, Jerzy Müller 
    
A building combining functionalism with representativeness; One of the best composed facilities in the city centre.
    • 

  • PLO building (1937–1939) – designed by Zbigniew Kupiec 
    
A symbol of the maritime character of the city — simple, rhythmic, modern.
    • 

  • Tenement house at 26–28 Abrahama Street (1936) – designed by Tadeusz Jędrzejewski 
    
An exemplary example of a modernist tenement house in Gdynia with a corner accent and a “ship” detail.
    • 



 


The entire downtown complex shows that Gdynia was not only a port city, but also a laboratory of modern architecture, where Polish architects tested European ideas of functionalism and modernism.


 




 


A city of culture and major events


Over the decades, Gdynia has built a brand of a city of festivals and ambitious initiatives:


    

  • Polish Film Festival in Gdynia (FPFF) – the most important celebration of Polish cinema; the festival started in 1974 and was moved to Gdynia in 1987.
    • 

  • Open’er Festival – one of the largest music events in the region, organized in Gdynia and the municipality of Kosakowo (Gdynia-Kosakowo Airport); The 2026 edition is announced on the official website of the event.
    • 

  • Gdynia Design Days – a festival of design and urban innovation (in recent editions with a program of exhibitions, debates and installations).
    • 



 


Marine DNA: symbols and places that “make” Gdynia


The image of the city is also built by institutions and facilities that talk about the sea and mobility:


    

  • Emigration Museum – opened on 16 May 2015 in the historic Maritime Station; tells about the experience of departures and returns of Poles.
    • 

  • ORP “Błyskawica” – since 1976 it has been functioning as a museum ship (within the structures of the Naval Museum).
    • 

  • Gdynia Aquarium – has been operating since 1971 and is one of the most recognizable educational attractions of the city.
    • 



 


100th anniversary as an excuse to tell the story of the city anew


In the communication about the jubilee, there is a thought that “it began with the sea”, and the celebrations are to last not only one day, but throughout the year – as a joint celebration of residents and guests.


 


Sources:


Gdynia.pl


The history of Gdynia in a nutshell


PortalMorski.pl


History of the construction of the port: Gdynia City Museum; Port Gdynia


Gdynia City of Modernism


Gdynia Aquarium


Histroria.org


Trojmiasto.pl “Gdynia as you don’t know it”


Beautiful modernism: Bankowiec, or a residential complex in Gdynia

	


	





	

		
Interview: rethink, redesign, reuse
		

			Posted on  by Katarzyna Halicka		

			


	

		
We talk to Anna Branicka from Design Anatomy about designing in the spirit of zero waste and the EPA award received for the design of the Bayer office in Gdańsk’s Olivia Centre.


 


You have won another international award for office design. This time, it is a project in the spirit of Less waste, prepared for Bayer. What makes this project stand out? 

Anna Branicka: Our common goal was to adapt the premises to the changing needs and expectations of employees. The project was implemented as part of Bayer’s Next Normal Office Concept. Implementation in the spirit of less waste allowed us to optimize the costs of modernization, which did not affect the style and quality in any way. It’s an approach to design in the spirit of smart: rethink, redesign, reuse.


 


 


The Next Normal Office Concept is a new standard for the entire Bayer Group, so what is the leitmotif of this direction?

It is a global, well-being-oriented strategy that aims to create a flexible work environment, adapted as best as possible to the changing rhythm of employee activity. Based on the new standard, we have made numerous changes to the functionality of the office, while maintaining the existing layout of walls and ceilings. The open space has been divided into smaller, more intimate zones, which is conducive to effective individual work, but also communication and cooperation in teams. Private offices have been redesigned in favor of more flexible and accessible spaces that are conducive to various forms of work and relaxation. The newly designed spaces include quiet work rooms, relax rooms providing a place to relax and recharge batteries, and snooze rooms allowing employees to take a short nap during the day. All this to improve the comfort of work, concentration and well-being of employees.


 




 


At the same time, the offices have gained a completely new style, related to the place where the offices and the entire Olivia Centre are located.

Yes, the main theme of the project is references to the historic Gdańsk district where the office is located. Oliwa is a district full of historical buildings, parks, cobbled streets and tenement houses with terracotta roofs, wooden verandas. That is why we used a wide range of warm reds and greens in the design of the office, referring to the surrounding landscape. We introduced vegetation in custom-designed pots to create soft transitions between zones and give the space an organic rhythm. We took care of solutions that improve the comfort of work, we equipped the space with acoustic booths, wall panels and openwork partitions separating individual work zones or carpets with high acoustic parameters. The office has become more functional, friendly and full of harmony.


 


One of the most interesting directions of this project is designing in the spirit of less waste. Where did the inspiration for design come from, allowing for the reuse of previously available resources? 

We live in a world of increasingly rapid change. We observe the pace at which the style of work is changing, how important it is to be flexible in building teams for specific projects, and thus adapting the workspace. At Design Anatomy, we feel how much responsibility designers and engineers have for the footprint that their projects leave. Less waste is a natural, organic direction for us – resulting from respect for the existing tissue, materials and the environment. That’s why we always analyze each project very carefully, looking for elements that we can reuse and give them new value. In this way, we create spaces that are sustainable, and at the same time as aesthetic and functional as those created from scratch.




So what solutions did you use?

We have kept most of the elements such as walls, ceilings, a significant part of the installation. We refreshed and reused the door joinery, stairs, some of the furniture, acoustic panels. We have introduced modular mobile solutions that allow for future changes, without generating excessive waste. Carefully selected materials – with high durability and natural aesthetics – have given the space a new quality without losing its economical form.


 


What are the benefits for investors? Can they be translated into numbers? How much more would such a rearrangement cost if it were not made in the spirit of less waste? 

I think that in the case of a full replacement of buildings and equipment, the additional costs could reach a dozen or even several dozen percent. But it is worth mentioning that this is not a simple calculation. While the preservation of walls, ceilings and installations brings measurable savings, in the case of elements undergoing renovation or alteration, we often balance on the edge of profitability. They need to be dismantled, taken to a workshop, refurbished, and then brought back and reinstalled. At a time when it is increasingly difficult to find a good professional, the costs of working hours and service are increasing significantly, it could be worthwhile to dispose of the old door and order a new one with delivery. Fortunately, in the less waste philosophy, we do not focus only on financial savings, we look more broadly at caring for the environment, and here the benefits are indisputable.


 


From the information I have been able to obtain, I know that this project has become a model solution that finds new imitators in other offices?

We receive information that representatives of other companies are very curious about this project and often ask for details during their visits. We even heard from Bayer employees that they have already specialized in touring the office and presenting individual solutions in the spirit of less waste. We are glad that they feel good in the remodeled office and feel better in it. For us, there could be no better feedback. Such assessments make us all the more confident in designing more environmentally responsible workspaces.


 


What are you working on now?

Currently, we are implementing several projects that continue the direction of responsible design – both offices and public spaces. We explore the subject of modularity and longevity of materials, we work on interiors that correspond to modern work rhythms and the need for closeness to nature. We believe that the future belongs to flexible spaces, created with respect for existing resources – and in this spirit we develop our next projects.


 


Design Anatomy is an architectural office that has been awarded many times in Polish and international competitions, which has in its portfolio the implementation of projects of over 200 thousand. m.kw. offices, an observation deck on the 32nd floor of Olivia Star, a conference space on its 34th floor, as well as numerous architectural and interior design projects for buildings located throughout the Tri-City.