CMS’s office in Poznań has been awarded the prestigious WELL Certification at the Platinum level—the world’s leading standard for evaluating workplace environments in terms of health, comfort, and user wellbeing. It is the second such certification granted in Poznań and the first in Poland awarded to an office fit-out in a non-Class A building. The project highlights the growing importance of retro fit-outs in the modern approach to office design.

The WELL Standard, developed and administered by the International WELL Building Institute, assesses elements such as air quality, lighting, acoustics, thermal comfort, and solutions that support both physical and mental health. The certification process is carried out under the supervision of independent auditors and is grounded in scientific research and ESG-aligned design practices.

This is the second CMS office to achieve WELL Certified Platinum following CMS Poland’s Warsaw headquarters in Varso Tower, which was the first legal office in Poland to receive this distinction.

Michał Andruszkiewicz, Partner and Head of CMS’s Poznań office, said, “The idea behind our Poznań office was to create a space that is not only functional and sustainable but also inspiring, for teamwork as well as client meetings. We wanted it to be a true extension of our organisational culture, while also being a modern workplace tailored to the needs of the local team.”

The renovation was part of CMS’s broader strategy to ensure consistent workplace standards across all locations. Beata Kępowicz, COO at CMS, added, “Our goal was for both our Warsaw and Poznań offices to meet the same highest-level criteria. This ensures comparable comfort and quality of work for all our teams, regardless of location.”

The Poznań project followed the principles of a retro fit-out: a thoughtful modernisation of an existing space, preserving its functionality and character. The redesign of the office, located in the Omega building on Dąbrowskiego Street, was carried out by the architectural studio Projektika.

Katarzyna Rut and Karolina Markiewicz, architects at Projektika, commented, “This was our first project involving WELL Certification. It was a major challenge, but also an exceptional opportunity to approach office design from a completely new angle. We are proud of the result, both in terms of aesthetics and compliance with the highest standards set by the International WELL Building Institute.”

The Omega building is owned and managed by Ataner. Piotr Szulc, Head of Legal at Ataner, said, “The WELL Certification of CMS’s Poznań office sends a clear message to the market that a well-executed retro fit-out can significantly increase a building’s value and appeal. The CMS space has become a reference point that we are proud to showcase to prospective tenants.”

The certification process was overseen by JLL. “This project demonstrates that responsible modernisation, even in non-Class A buildings, can meet global standards. Thanks to CMS’s consistent approach and the team’s full engagement, we’ve created an office environment that balances environmental, operational, and social qualities,” added Łukasz Grzywacz, Head of ESG and Sustainability Transformations at JLL.

Mateusz Wosiek, Counsel in CMS’s Real Estate and Construction practice, concluded, “As legal advisors supporting clients in ESG and leasing matters, we wanted to show that we understand the challenges faced by both tenants and investors. Retro fit-out is more than just a trend; it’s a viable and sustainable development strategy. The Platinum level WELL Certification is proof that we’re moving forward with purpose, both as advisors and subject matter experts.”

The CMS Poznań office has also received the WELL Equity Rating, which evaluates initiatives supporting the needs of everyone in its workforce, enabling all employees to succeed and flourish. It is the only office space in Poznań that combines Platinum level WELL Certification with the WELL Equity Rating.

Ann Marie Aguilar, Senior vice President, EMEA, International WELL Building Institute, said, “We congratulate CMS for demonstrating outstanding leadership by achieving both WELL Certified Platinum and the WELL Equity Rating for its Poznan office. These distinctions showcase how CMS is setting the standard for health and well-being, as well as creating a thriving workplace and organisational culture where everyone feels welcome, seen and heard.”

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    Founded in 1999, CMS is an integrated, multi-jurisdictional organisation of law firms that offers full-service legal and tax advice. With 81 offices in 45 countries across the world and more than 5,000 lawyers, CMS has long-standing expertise both in advising in its local jurisdictions and across borders. From major multinationals and mid-caps to enterprising start-ups, CMS provides the technical rigour, strategic excellence and long-term partnership to keep each client ahead in its chosen markets. The CMS member firms provide a wide range of expertise across 19 practice areas and sectors, including Corporate / M&A, Energy & Climate Change, Funds, Life Sciences & Healthcare, TMC, Tax, Banking & Finance, Commercial, Antitrust, Competition & Trade, Dispute Resolution, Employment & Pensions, Intellectual Property and Real Estate. For more information, please visit cms.law