Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Total Area: 2.950 sq.m
Team: Nataly Bolshakova, Julia Artyukh, Natalya Pavlova, Olga Boyko
Photo: Andrey Avdeenko
Brief
The main task of a studio project for designers was to build a dynamic space where workers can create virtual worlds with absolute comfort. The client asked to create a contemporary interior with a moderate and minimalist design language, yet to have a playful and creative DNA of the AB Games team in every corner.
Challenge
The challenge at hand was to break away from the common perception of a youthful office design often associated with the gaming industry and, in its place, establish an environment that exuded sophistication, maturity, and a profound sense of creativity.
Concept
Design studio Bolshakova Studio sought inspiration from renowned legends and iconic literary characters when designing the new office for the international game development company AB Games.
Realization
AB Games encourages a flexible workplace approach, allowing employees the freedom to work whenever and wherever they choose. As a result, architects allocated a significant portion of the 2,800 sq. m. space to social interaction areas, including a canteen, library, bar, kitchen, spacious terraces, and common rooms. These social spaces, designed with an open workplace concept, are interspersed with isolated areas dedicated to focused and uninterrupted work processes. The red corridor, illuminated with LED backlighting, serves as a transition between the actual work zones and informal common spaces, symbolizing the shift between relaxation and productivity.
In one room, the team installed a small cinema and created an area for board games, entertainment and events. An additional feature of the space is a well resourced art library. The art library is a source of inspiration for those who create virtual worlds, literature, film and music. It includes thematic literature and materials from exhibitions and presentations.
In between working on the plush berry sofas, it is good to enjoy an aromatic coffee with colleagues. The bar is furnished with yellow and blue stools and chairs, which really stand out against the surroundings. For lighting, the team opted for volumetric spherical chandeliers.
Everyone's favorite place in the office is the built-in bar called 'DoubleWin,' where a professional barista prepares freshly brewed coffee every morning, and self-made cocktail recipes are available for late-night workers.
Against a backdrop of gray tones and dark wood, carefully selected greenery enhances the natural ambiance of the space. The company's commitment to environmental protection is reflected in the recycling system for waste sorting in the kitchen.
The red corridor with LED backlight serves as a portal between the actual work zones and informal common spaces, a transformation between two states — relaxation and labor.
The interior creates an ideal atmosphere for a productive working environment, with light colors, effective noise insulation, essential gadgets, and modern ventilation and air conditioning systems that complement each other. Since employees spend a significant amount of time at their monitors, it was crucial to select a comfortable, functional lighting system featuring dimmable light panels.
Zones are available between workspaces to facilitate communication between departments, exchange of ideas and experiences.
A monitor provides a visual representation of current programmes, announcements and events, depending on the time of year. On leaving the elevator, people are immediately aware of what is happening around them, and when.
Here the team used bright colors and neon lighting. Restrooms have creative changeable indicators on the doors, inspired by Star Wars characters and developed by AB Games’ own design team, Red Dot Award winners.
