A fast-moving company in the Czech Republic

The first headquarters of Essens Europe in Brno is emblematic of the pace of change in today’s world. Formed in 2011, Essens launched an exclusive range of high-end perfumes in the same year, and has since become one of Europe’s most dynamic Network Marketing companies, with operations in the cosmetics and food supplements markets.
Even the building of its new headquarters, inaugurated on 30 April 2016, was a master-class in quick work. Designed by A77 Architekti, a local firm of architects, the buildings came under construction in November 2014 and were ready for handover by December 2015. One month later, all the company’s personnel and operations, which had previously been spread across multiple sites, came together for the first time in the new headquarters, which has floorspace of some 5,400 square metres.
The offices have a footprint of 1,200 square metres, while the storage and distribution warehouse occupies 850 square metres and has over 615 pallet spaces. Despite taking up only a minimum of space, it operates at almost full throughput at all times thanks to the advanced automation systems in use there.
The construction of the headquarters saw the delivery of 753 lorry-loads of building materials and used 280 m3 of concrete.
The building was designed with two training rooms, which are in almost constant use and are fitted with movable partition walls so that they can be converted into a single, 120-seater conference hall for special events.
The entire complex is equipped with an efficient LED-lighting system, which also includes the special lights that feed the magnificent 100-square-metre green wall adjacent to the staircase. The wall is made up of 3,800 hydroponic plants planted in special bags, which are watered twice a day in precise doses managed by a computerised system.
And if you were still in any doubt, you can tell it’s a smart building from the 180+ active sensors that oversee fire safety, security, attendance management and access to the individual rooms – which really are individual because each one is unique, so that every staff member has their own recognisable habitat! From the outset, the project by A77 Architekti featured the technical and aesthetic quality of Caesar porcelain tile in various environments, including the reception area, the corridors, the canteen and the staircase to the upper floors.
It’s no surprise that this outstanding mastery of cosmetics and beauty grew up in Moravia’s capital city, which has a history spanning 1,500 years and a population of 400,000, making it the second largest city in the Czech Republic after Prague. A youthful and culturally vibrant city, Brno has plenty of appeal as a tourist destination and offers a wide range of museums, theatres and monuments. It’s also nationally renowned for the number of world-class companies that are based there, earning it the nickname „the Manchester of the Czech Republic“.