Ukraine-based Sergey Makhno Architects designed this innovative office project for Academy DTEK, the largest educational platform in Ukraine for public sector employees. Take a look at the complete story after the jump.
From the architects: This project is a new chapter in the story of Academy DTEK, the largest educational platform in Ukraine for public sector employees, the project we presented in 2019. It is about the other side of the coin: there are working areas of those who teach and create training programs, test and coordinate them, monitor students’ performance and teachers’ qualifications — all those who stand behind the creation and daily support of the Academy DTEK platform.
The office occupies the fifth floor of a new building in Kyiv Silicon Valley — UNIT.City Innovation Park, where the Academy itself is located on the first and second floors.
This place is home to knowledge. And home to those who create it. The architects worked diligently to make it home-like cozy and comfortable.
Coworking halls
We leave the elevator and in front of us, there are coworking halls with blue and yellow guiding triangles on the floor. The emphasis here is about large windows that present the view displayed on translucent walls. The atmosphere of weightlessness, purity of consciousness and a willingness to concentrate on the most important things are about to embrace the space.
Functionally, the space can serve both for informal meetings and some private time in a cocoon chair or at the bar counter overlooking the new Kyiv. All the soft furniture, including the collection of armchairs and sofas The Elephants by our studio, are mobile pieces that allow diverse combinations. The expositions of greenery and designer ceramic lamps by SerhiiMakhno resembles oasises in the middle of a black desert of the ceiling.
Working space
Here, the color ovals appear on the floor and light ovals — on the ceiling. In a classic seating arrangement with fixed seats, like raisins in cupcake dough, puff pouches are sprinkled around a counter at the window. Yes, you have to do your job and show the result. But it is up to you how to do that. The style of the office is a mix of an atmospheric party place and a space that stimulates productivity.
The walls store the personal belongings of the office employees. Flowerpots-trees remind of the important — to notice and protect the environment.
Briefing room
The briefing room is a queen among the meeting rooms. An entire ecosystem was placed behind the transparent walls of the cylinder: a phyto-wall made of real plants, a handmade cloud — Khmara lamp by SerhiiMakhno, and even elephant sofas from The Elephants collection. A luminous hoop on the ceiling is instead of a clear sky.
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With the help of the “smart home” system, which D8 Engineering invariably integrates into our projects, you can select the backlight color according to the RGB spectrum, adjust the brightness of the light and the air temperature. In addition to the meeting room, it is also the main platform in the office for recording interviews, videos, etc.
Cell rooms
The Academy regularly organizes lectures and workshops by professors from the best European business schools. For negotiations with them, 4 rooms with enhanced noise isolation for phone and Skype calls were created.
Technology room / VR-space / Lounge zone
Welcome aboard the spaceship of knowledge. The room behind the door with the “Technology Room” sign is designed for several possible scenarios. The main purpose is a place for testing new programs, products, and developments. The room is equipped with projectors, multimedia boards, VR and AR equipment for conducting experiments. There is also the RGB lighting system for creating the necessary atmosphere.
The second scenario is a combination of the lounge area with swings and working places. When nothing bothers or fetters you, when you feel the freedom to rest — that is a new format of motivation in modern companies.
Also, this space can be transformed into a presentation audience with places for listeners and interactive wallboards.
The light ovals obediently migrated to this room too.
Chief’s office
The office of the head of the company is minimalistic and bright, with specific accents and functions. At the center of this micro-universe, there is a work table where guests and colleagues can place their laptops. After all, the idea of the chief’s office as an inviolable place is outdated. An updated rhythm of work involves constant communication with the team.
Three clouds were placed under the ceiling — designer Khmara lamps in the iridescent metal color.
Meeting rooms
The main office problem is that all the meeting rooms are always busy. Here, it will be difficult to have such a problem — meeting rooms are located all around the office, allowing you to hold a series of meetings at the same time. Even if some of them are spontaneous. Diverse areas and room layouts are designed for different meeting formats, while colored walls are to make the process of searching and finding the right room more comfortable.
Cafeteria
On a sunny day, the cafeteria is filled with a bright scarlet light created by the red cover-up of the facade. The cache-pot and a radial wall made of stainless steel cool off the light and seething thoughts after an active workflow. And again — the absolute mobility of the hall, and only flexible decisions.
Gym
A sound mind in a sound body. There is a hall for yoga, fitness, or just a small break for exercises. Mirrors and yellow stripes make the space textural, and luminous hoops create the cosmic atmosphere. Subtleness and visual lightness of the space favor relaxed yet focused activities.
Type: academy office
Area: 1 260 sq. m
Location: Ukraine, Kyiv, UNIT.City
Designers: SerhiiMakhno, ArtemMeshchankin, YevheniiaChelnyk, SerhiiFilonchuk, Maryna Hrechko, Olga Novak, Ilona Hatyliak
Photo credit: SerhiiKadulin
Find more projects by Sergey Makhno Architects: mahno.com.ua
