They started in a windowless room, now they will occupy Prague's office gem. Pernerka connects everything, says ACTUM Digital founder Jan Havel

Soon, ACTUM Digital will move to the modern spaces of the Pernerka building in Prague's Karlín district, which is set to officially open in December this year. In this interview, Jan Havel talks about the evolution of the offices his company called home, and also about why Pernerka is exactly the place that meets all his requirements. Yet it would not be a complete story without CEO Tomáš Vondráček adding his impressions of the new space.

Do you remember the moment when you realized that ACTUM Digital had "outgrown" its first premises?

Jan Havel: I remember, because it was when we moved to a space with windows. It was still in a family house belonging to Ratibor Líbal, co-founder and board member of ACTUM Digital, but it was no longer garage-style. Of course, we had higher rent that we had to earn, but that also helped the company's stability.

What did that say about the company's development at the time?

Jan Havel: Most importantly, we could finally start inviting clients to visit us with a clear conscience, which was an important step on the journey from "attempting to build a company" to "a functioning company in its early stages."

Later you began moving to new premises that would reflect your gradual growth. What were they like?

Jan Havel: From a historical perspective, there were two iconic spaces that experienced great moments and significant periods. The first was Vršovice, where we had two floors with plenty of space – back then we were handling digital solutions for Carrefour in four European countries. At first glance, it was a standard office in a smaller apartment building, but it could still happen that in the morning you'd meet a programmer sleeping on his desk because he didn't feel like going home after launching the Carrefour Portugal loyalty program at night.

Tomáš Vondráček: I also fondly remember the garages we had there. At most, a company Renault Twingo could fit in them, and I forbade colleagues from driving it to clients, preferring to sell it instead. And any other mid-size car would mean either moving or losing the mirrors within a week.

Jan Havel: So from Vršovice we went to Belgická Street. This was when today's CEO Tomáš Vondráček joined us – he had space there in his advertising agency WMC/Grey. Since there was room, it seemed logical to move both companies into one building. The character of the space was similar, but somewhat larger, right next to Náměstí Míru. That offered many possibilities for after-work entertainment, so these offices could also tell amusing stories.

Which moment from the Belgická offices do you particularly remember?

Jan Havel: There are several, of course, but if I had to choose one, it was during the Belgická era that METRO Cash & Carry gave us their global trust, so most of my airport trips back then began with a taxi from this Prague street.

Now a new chapter awaits you: moving to Pernerka in Karlín. What inspires you most about it as a founder?

Jan Havel: The entire concept of Pernerka is, for me, about space for people, for meetings, for inspiration, and for collaboration. And it's not just for our colleagues and clients. It's about connecting with the professional community and the surroundings. From the beginning, we wanted to build ACTUM Digital as a place people are happy to go to – for work or for its services.

Tomáš Vondráček: It was also key for us to choose a space that would be more intimate and where we'd feel more "in the city and among people." Just like once in Belgická. Visionary in Holešovice, where we are now, is excellent in many ways and in a good strategic location, but Pernerka offers us the parameters we're looking for. Also considering our international business partners, who will find the new Karlín space more impressive.

Pernerka will be the ninth office space where ACTUM Digital has been. How has your own perception of the ideal workspace changed over time?

Jan Havel: My view evolves, just as the perception of office space in general shifts. At the beginning, it wasn't possible to function meaningfully without everyone being in one place. In 1996, we waited eighteen months for a proper phone line, and we had internet through dial-up connection, where we downloaded emails a few times a day – emails that only a fraction of people used at that time anyway. Today, technology solves a large part of the problems, and it's accessible and easy to use.

Tomáš Vondráček: For me, great offices are still an important signal that tells employees and business partners something about the company. I generally pay a lot of attention to office spaces, and when I see banal, unmaintained, and tasteless spaces, I immediately form an opinion. And of course, vice versa. I feel like I immediately know what to expect from the company.

So you fully believe that Pernerka with modern office facilities is the right move?

Jan Havel: The reasons for collaborating in one place are shifting more toward identification with common goals, efficiency in solving problems and conflicts, leadership, and interpersonal relationships in general. Company spaces must adapt to this and provide flexibility and space for various types and formats of meetings. Pernerka connects all of this that I've talked about. At the same time, we mustn't forget that we have many colleagues abroad or working completely remotely. Offices must provide comfort for people who connect to them from afar as well.

Looking back at the company's entire journey, which spatial move or change brought the most unexpected challenges or opportunities?

Jan Havel: I feel like the recent ones were really challenging. The first move was done in an hour. We carried two desks, two computers, a fax machine (!), and threw out an already worn-out sofa. The last move involved 150 people, a moving company handled it the entire weekend, and most importantly, it happened when the new offices weren't finished. It's great to move into something new, but there's the risk that the developer simply won't have it ready on time. But you have to count on that.