New Trend in Office Spaces: Fahle Park Media House is Like an Art Exhibition
When designing office spaces, valuable art is increasingly being used. Fahle Park's media house is certainly an example of one of Estonia's most art-rich work environments and offers special art experiences to both its employees and visitors.
Estonia's largest media house has kept its doors open to the interested public, and in the Postimees Group's first-floor gallery, it is possible to see different exhibitions from time to time. For example, until the end of October, it is still possible to see an exhibition dedicated to Peeter Muiste's 80th birthday, which features the artist's best works.
According to Fahle Park's marketing director Vivika Simmo, the use of top-quality art in the work environment carries a message that values culture and spirituality, and inspires and connects people to their workplace in several ways. "For example, art helps create more personal spaces where people want to be, linger, and also make contact with others. Various research in the field of art shows that engaging with art increases well-being, creativity and deep thinking, and even stimulates a person's performance and problem-solving abilities. Art also always provides a topic of conversation on cultural matters and opens the possibility for pleasant conversations with colleagues. Therefore, in addition to aesthetic values, using art in an office also has a deeper aspect that unites and empowers employees," said Simmo.
According to Postimees Group's HR director Ingrid Saare, the media house primarily exhibits works by Estonian artists in various styles – painting, graphics, sculptures, installations and others. "I dare to say that you won't find such an art-rich work environment elsewhere in Estonia. Both the building as a whole and the artworks that have been brought here are very much appreciated by people, and first-time visitors are often struck by this unique environment. It is gratifying that the environment itself can provide such emotions, but still, the greatest value is created by our people themselves," said Saare.
Estonia's largest media house employs many diverse teams, starting from journalists to information technology and many other support units, and therefore the work environment here must be functional and support cross-sector communication. "In a media house where people create something every day, the space around us must also support the work and be inspiring. To create this, Fahle Park provides ideal spaces where we can realize our goals magnificently," said Saare.
The entire space surrounding the Postimees media house can also be considered an architectural work of art in itself. The square in front of Postimees's main entrance has been awarded the Estonian Landscape Architects Association's annual award in the "Landscape and Building" category and is designed according to a special concept that creates the feeling as if nature and trees break through the street pavement and joints into the urban space. The media house's second entrance opens onto Fahle Park's gallery street, where a modern public space with a glass roof and exotic magnolia and orange trees has been created on the historically paved limestone wall street, where you can swing, touch flowing water and interact with plants, and where several cozy cafes and restaurants have made their home. The gallery street has also received recognition at the architecture awards gala and has been honored with an annual award.
According to Saare, in addition to an inspiring work environment, work culture also plays an important role, as well as creating the best conditions for employees: "In our work culture, we value keeping employees and creating the best conditions and development opportunities for them. In addition to the work environment, it is important to create the right value space and make conscious choices that involve both managers and all colleagues. It is important to keep up with trends and generational differences – to maintain a balance between work and personal life, to enable flexible working conditions. When employees are satisfied, it also spreads outside the building."
