Kraków has become the second largest concentration of office businesses in Poland. The modern office building industry is rapidly developing here; by the end of 2012 the total office stock exceeded 600 000 m2. It is estimated that about 50 000 m2 of new offices are being constructed here each year, mostly by developers who specialize in the office market. As the needs of future tenants are unknown at the design and construction stage, office buildings are erected as unfinished and empty boxes. This allows developers to avoid bearing unnecessary risk and labour, and to ensure that the construction is completed, including structure, enclosure and vertical core, prior to the tenant’s finishing touches (furnishing and fittings). The basic challenge for architects in this field is the necessity to harmonize the conflicting needs of investment effectiveness with design flexibility.

Kraków has become the second largest concentration of office businesses in Poland. The modern office building industry is rapidly developing here; by the end of 2012 the total office stock exceeded 600 000 m2. It is estimated that about 50 000 m2 of new offices are being constructed here each year, mostly by developers who specialize in the office market. As the needs of future tenants are unknown at the design and construction stage, office buildings are erected as unfinished and empty boxes. This allows developers to avoid bearing unnecessary risk and labour, and to ensure that the construction is completed, including structure, enclosure and vertical core, prior to the tenant’s finishing touches (furnishing and fittings). The basic challenge for architects in this field is the necessity to harmonize the conflicting needs of investment effectiveness with design flexibility.