By reusing what is good and making long-term choices, Webbhuset's renovation has been carried out with economic and sustainable perspectives. It is clearly visible that they enjoy their premises as they are well taken care of. The final result is a mix of Webbhuset’s vision and graphic profile.
By reusing what is good and making long-term choices, Webbhuset's renovation has been carried out with economic and sustainable perspectives. It is clearly visible that they enjoy their premises as they are well taken care of. The final result is a mix of Webbhuset’s vision and graphic profile.
Sustainable update with Liljewall and Ergona
Webbhuset, a Gothenburg-based company, has had its office located in central Gothenburg on Kungsgatan since 2002. The premises haven’t been renovated since Webbhuset's CEO, Jenny Segerberg, took over the premises in 2008. It was last year when the lease was due to expire that Webbhuset explored the possibility of renovation since there was a desire to remain in the existing premises.
“We visited several available locations and explored the market, but we didn’t find anything that met our requirements, such as being centrally located, close to public transport, and offering a terrace,” Rebecca Sandberg, a former employee at Webbhuset explains.
Vision of incorporating the graphic profile
When the project started, a group was formed among colleagues interested in participating, and many were engaged. "Everyone at the office who wanted to join presented their ideas. We then created consensus after the architect listened to us, and ultimately presented their mood board," Rebecca explains. Webbhuset wanted to create a work lounge that would convey a feeling of community while also highlighting Webbhuset’s graphic profile.
Interior Architect Katarina Söderström at Liljewall Architects is one of the leading architects and has worked with office interiors for 25 years. When she saw the premises, she thought it would be a perfect project to take on, and after seeing the concept images and vision words, an initial budget was set for what the project would cost.
"It's about setting the right level for the experience and scope of the project. Previously, it was only desks, an office, and wanting to achieve another type of function," explains Katarina.
The ambition was to create a welcoming oasis-and workspace area for both customer events and touchdown space. "It should feel like - Wow, now I'm stepping into an office where they work creatively," says Katarina.
The renovation begins
Webbhuset showed Liljewall's sketches to the property owner which ended up with the owner stepping in to carry out several actions. They painted walls, installed carpet, renovated the kitchen with new cabinets in a different color, sanded the floor, and installed new lighting.
"It was a great mix that the property owner stepped in and supported. I think they found it exciting that Webbhuset showed they really wanted to stay and embrace the space. Then the property owner got the energy to support in this project," says Katarina. The budget initially set for the renovation could instead be spent on new interior decoration and props.
The project started at the end of November 2022 and already by mid-January, Webbhuset received a temporary evacuation space within the same building. "It was fast! As soon as we got the sketches, we ‘test-furnished’ to see what it would be like," Rebecca explains. After 15 years in the same location, there was a lot to sort out, and they had to order two loads from a company to sort and manage everything.
Sustainable and long-term choices
A sustainable renovation has been the focus of the project where we selected what should be reused. Conference table, kitchen furniture, desks, drawers, and the large black sofa in the work lounge, are some of the pieces that have been retained. Some old storage units have been rebuilt into a nice piece of furniture with a stone top made of marble.
Reusing isn’t always optimal; sometimes it’s better to acquire new items that are environmentally better but also have long-term aspects in both design and material. By choosing quality furniture that can be renovated, a project is created that becomes long-term.
“The surface of the table in the work lounge is called desktop, an acoustically good material that is also sandable, providing longevity. If, for example, laminate is used instead, it can easily get scratched and not be remedied. High-quality materials like textiles that are washable and solid surfaces that can be resurfaced are preferable,” explains Katarina. Everything is done with economic and sustainable perspectives; furniture choices can be taken along during a future office move when the company has outgrown its space.
Furniture and interior from Ergona
Kamilla Samuelsson at Ergona has delivered all the furnishings for the project. Liljewall has worked in partnership with Ergona, which means selecting a supplier and working as a team to determine exactly which products will be purchased within the budget. By doing it together, the timeline is shorter, and there is more control that the budget and schedule are maintained.
“The entire lighting picture is updated. Now, there is incredibly beautiful lighting with spotlight rails and pendant fixtures, much more pleasant than the flat lighting that is typical. The textile mat brings calm to the space. The lighting and the acoustic additions, like the textile mat, make it more enjoyable,” says Katarina.
The walls are painted in a sand beige tone that gives a warm feeling, and the pink and yellow accent colors from the graphic profile are toned down.
Good people in and good results out
According to both Rebecca Sandberg and Katarina Söderström, it has been good teamwork, everything went quickly, and the project met the deadline and budget. "Not all customers are as lovely as Webbhuset, and not all interior suppliers are as on point as Ergona. Good people in and good results out. Being responsive, a team player, and having the same vision is super important," says Katarina.
Rebecca is still amazed every time she comes to the office at how beautiful it is. The office no longer feels cluttered, and now that it's nice, there's a desire to keep it clean. Rebecca believes that both Liljewall and Ergona are incredibly competent, and everyone at Webbhuset is very satisfied. "We had a former colleague I invited here last spring after everything was done, and he wondered if we had changed floors. He didn't even recognize it, and he has worked here for several years," says Rebecca.
The renovation of Webbhuset’s office was not a large project for Katarina, but she explains that one becomes very motivated when one has an engaged customer. "It’s so fun when there’s a bit of mess and questions. It's about drive, and that type of work is very enjoyable. When you question and point out, then 'as a customer, you inhabit' the space because you find it exciting," says Katarina.
Previously, all walls were white, and it looked like a classic office landscape, but now it’s something completely different. The renovation is a great example of how you can elevate an interior with simple measures. Katarina is pleased with the result, and Webbhuset’s customers think the renovation is a huge improvement.
"You can see that they love their premises and take care of them, and the final result aligns very well with Webbhuset’s vision," says Katarina.
Renovation with a tenant-focused approach
"The property owner probably realized it was good to do a comprehensive renovation to make the tenant very satisfied and keep them longer in their premises. Webbhuset has stayed and enjoys it, and with such a good tenant, they can show others how nice it can be and use it as a reference. It's a win-win," points out Katarina. Sometimes property owners renovate before the tenant moves in, but when done with the tenant's needs in mind, it becomes more appropriate and long-term.
In conjunction with the project, the property owner also took the opportunity to arrange the stairwell and entrance, which uplifted the entire building nicely. However, this was not done together with Liljewall. Katarina praises the property owner for being so helpful and accommodating throughout the process.
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