Working at the office like at home: modern trends in working space design
Serhii Makhno blog
19.05.24
A person spends more than a half of their life working. And more rarely, they agree to do it in the walls of an uncomfortable office having an uncomfortable workplace. Companies, in turn, have realized that an investment in an office is an investment in results of its employees. Schedules become more convenient, there are a good ventilation in offices, lounge rooms and coffee points; its interior matches the company’s values. We are showing some examples of the companies that have recently renewed their offices and talking about current trends in the design of working spaces.
Academy DTEK: energy of space
The office of an innovative educational business platform Academy DTEK is located in Kyiv, in the new building of Unit. City — Ukrainian Silicon Valley. The Academy is located on two floors and occupies area of 3,000 sq.m. On the first floor there are coworkings and a cafeteria with a zen garden under the ceiling — composition of flowers and ceramic lamps by Sergey Makhno. On the second floor there are lecture halls, offices for staff and a cinema with a speaker system like at the Cannes Film Festival. All rooms have a powerful noise isolation; they are made of natural wear-resistant materials and equipped with high technologies. Since DTEK is an energy company, energy of space is the basis of the design project concept. Academy is designed in such a way that the premises “program” both students and staff to work on their assigned task. The first floor is for “wow” effect; it has green walls, mirrored ceilings, light sculptures — everything in order to inspire, impress and charge. The second floor is stricter, more focused since people study here. The zones are distinguished by colors — from light green to bright orange. It is done for students to learn the space as long as possible, so that each time they notice some new details there. Today it is the only business university in Kyiv that has such a powerful visual design.
Recently, Academy DTEK received gold award of the prestigious International Award Global CCU 2019 for improving quality of training of public sector employees.
Stefes: 2 in1, space for work and living
The project unites office of an agricultural company specializing in plant protection, and home of its owners. The main challenge of this project was to combine two completely different types of premises under the same roof. The task was to create work motivating atmosphere in the office and cozy home vibes in the owners’ apartment. At the same time, the rooms needed to be in harmony with each other.
At 175 square meters the architects have placed office and residential spaces. Also, there is a recreation area on the territory. This complex is located in the city of Bila Tserkva. It is important to comfortably divide two main storylines of life, and yet, it is a trend of responsible consumption. Do not lose and do not waste. It is all about space and materials, nerves and time. As a result, in 2018 Stefes reached $ 20 million of the volume of sales to the Ukrainian market.
Creative Crews office: to love the nature
To take care of the nature is the main value of the team of architects from Bangkok — Creative Crews. Their office space is located in the historic area of the capital of Thailand, that is ethnically Chinese. In the midst of the local devastation, the creative team made its small ecosystem — a plant of cheesewood.
On September 14th 2018, an announcement was made on Creative Crews’ official website: “Welcome to the team! Meet our new colleague — a cheesewood tree”. The plant is located in the atrium of the main office area — in the hall next to the kitchen, where the most of light is. The tree penetrates heavy cement beams, unites floors of the office and gives freshness and color to the space.
Such sincere care and attention of the team of architects towards its “great friend” set the trend for a close relationship with nature. They even make photographic reports in social media when a gardener comes to the cheesewood or when the tree blooms with a new color.
With a philosophy of nature worship, Creative Crews in 90% of its projects creates housing complexes and residences for tens of thousands of square meters with surrounding landscaping using living plants in architecture. Private companies and even Asian governments trust the team from Bangkok because they know that the architects are responsible for the future, for life not just of the project but of the planet Earth.
Serhii Makhno Architects office: we art the world
Serhii Makhno Architects office is the main place of creativity for the team of the architecture and design studio. Unusual combination of loft and collector eclecticism made it possible to create a warm space filled with inspiration, using concrete, glass, wood, bronze and copper. And all around there are favorite artists, things and people.
On the walls and shelves there are artworks by Nazar Bilyk, Alexey Zolotarev, Serhii Radko, Oleg Tistol, Stepan Ryabchenko, Zoya Orlova. In the library there are several hundred books on architecture and design, and next to it — a unique collection of Ukrainian zoomorphic ceramics. Bas-reliefs, sculptures, author’s decor and carefully selected lighting objects together create not just a working space, but a real showroom of contemporary Ukrainian design and art.
In such a company creating just ordinary things is a crime. In 2019 the company debuted at the largest design exhibition in the world — iSaloni in Milan. Company’s stand was named one of the best by the prestigious international media ArchDaily.
WeWork office:
5,500 square meters of bold design solutions in the building of former opium factory in the center of Shanghai. WeWork is an American company that provides coworkings for innovative startups. They trusted one of their largest projects to the international architecture studio Linehouse that, in turn, decided to pay tribute to the history of this industrial building saving its brick and concrete. The designers integrated the previous destination of the hub into the interior details: for example, on the second level, there are wallpapers hand-painted with poppy flowers.
They were not afraid of mixing fabrics and colors, cultures and styles. When we say mix, we mean that this project is like a palette of an expressionist painter, because the dimly-pastel colors are next to saturated velvet, while under the school desk there is a vase of the Tsing dynasty. No fear, only competence, professionalism and experience.
Let’s count together. Dezeen, ArchDaily, Yatzer, Officelovin, Architecture Now, Inc., The Wall Street Journal released detailed materials about WeWork Shanghai hub, where each new publication includes unique information about the project and exclusive appreciation of professionals.