A Glowing Gem in Boutique Offices in Smíchov: When Recycled Plastic Becomes Modern Marble
- Location: Prague – Smíchov
- Design: Karnet, architekti (Ing. arch. Michael Karnet)
- Material used: Translucent Mínus panels
- Interior application: Central reception desk with bevelled edges and internal LED backlighting, cladding panels behind TV screens in meeting rooms
The Vision: A Cosy Boutique Interior Focused on Contrast and Detail
The brief for the Smíchov offices was to design a distinctive, welcoming space with a boutique feel, driven by bespoke materials and meticulous detailing. The studio Karnet, architekti built the concept on a bold material contrast: a raw, exposed monolithic concrete ceiling with revealed building services balanced by warm walnut tabletops, sleek glass partitions, full-coverage wallcoverings, and stainless steel accents.
To create a striking focal point right at the entrance, Michael Karnet searched for an exceptional material for the central reception desk—something far from mundane, pleasant to the touch, and acting quite literally as a glowing gem.
“I liked the analogy with modern marble, as the company manages several properties where that material features heavily. At the same time, we needed something that could be backlit and remained engaging even up close to the touch. We tested other materials for translucency, but they weren’t suitable for placing an LED strip within a relatively tight cavity—they either let through far too much light or noticeably distorted its colour temperature.”
— Ing. arch. Michael Karnet
The choice naturally fell on our Mínus panels. Following the successful reception desk prototype, the material naturally expanded further into the interior—serving as backdrop panels behind the screens in the conference rooms.
A Challenge for Craftsmanship: Mitred Edges and Demountable Backlighting
Working with Mínus panels at such an intricate level of detail presented a genuine challenge for the joinery team. Unlike the previous collaboration on the ceremonial hall in Příbram, where the panels served in a different type of installation, the Smíchov project demanded complex joinery techniques.
- Mitred joints (bevelled edges): The reception desk panels meet at bevelled mitres. On the upper worktop, four distinct panels converge with a negative reveal against the vertical faces.
- Structural stability and anchoring: Recycled plastic panels exhibit different mechanical properties than natural stone—joiners had to account for the material’s inherent flexibility and secure precise fixings across the surface area.
- Maintenance access for LED technology: To allow for hassle-free maintenance or replacement of the LED strips in the future, the internal casing was designed to be completely demountable.
- Authentic patterning: Each recycled plastic board is a 100% original. The subtle grain and flow cannot be mechanically matched from board to board, giving the reception desk a dynamic, irreproducible natural character.
“When it came to the reception desk, it was quite a nut to crack for the joiners. At times during construction, it felt like we might never see them again, but they handled it brilliantly.”
— Ing. arch. Michael Karnet
The Ambience of Morning Sunlight in Daily Use
In day-to-day operation, the reception desk works precisely as the architects envisioned—as a natural visual anchor. Light gently diffusing through the panel fundamentally transforms the perception of the space, blending with dark walnut joinery to establish a warm, welcoming ambience.
“The panels are truly unusual; they instantly grab your attention when you walk in. When backlit, the material is unmistakable—discerning visitors recognize Plastic guys right from the door. Personally, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of light coming from behind the panel. In combination with the walnut furniture, we achieved a very cosy atmosphere. We even kept a backlit offcut of the board in our studio—it feels like having a warm summer morning sun all day long.”
This interior proves that recycled plastic is not limited to utilitarian or strictly “eco-themed” projects. In the hands of a skilled architect and dedicated craftsmen, it emerges as a refined, premium feature for representative commercial spaces.
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