MAIN CONCEPT
The flagship KLO petrol station in Kyiv is strategically located on a key transportation artery, Mykola Bazhan Avenue, which connects Boryspil International Airport to the city centre. The client’s request to create a unique station is reflected in the flowing, wave-like exterior envelope that provides sunshading, accentuates the main entrance with its curve, and unifies the wide wings of the station with the central building into a holistic structure. The outer layer of the facade consists of flat panels mounted on a metal frame, with integrated lighting at the edges, enabling media functionality with discrete gaps between the elements while maintaining the architectural form as the primary focus.
The background layer of the facade is made from metal cladding of the same colour, with shared vertical divisions that enhance the sense of unity of the overall volume. The interior space of the station’s shop and café is formed by a wooden structure that flows through magnetic lines, connecting different functional zones—magnets—and integrating lighting accents in key areas. The navigation is highlighted with infographic trajectories applied to the floor. The cosy plywood finish (a somewhat unconventional choice for petrol stations) contrasts with the monochromatic dark volume and invites people inside with the help of large glass panes that blur the boundaries between the street and the interior.
COMPUTATIONAL MORPHOGENESIS
To create the facade geometry, a parametric 3D model was built, where changes in parameters influenced the formation of the surface—such as the amplitude of the cantilever, wave height and depth, and the number of vertical discrete elements into which the surface is divided. Inside the space, optimization involved breaking down the magnetic lines into a limited number of unified radii for automated fabrication. This parametric approach allowed for real-time adaptation of the facade and interior structure to meet structural and visual criteria without needing significant reworking of the 3D model. It effectively enabled the possibility of selecting from hundreds of online variations. Design automation also facilitated the rapid exploration of numerous options to select the best solution according to the specified criteria.
SUSTAINABILITY
The south-facing facade of the central building with the smart hotel, which looks out onto Bazhan Avenue, is mitigated by an additional layer of facade that cuts direct sunlight, instead providing diffused light throughout the day. This, combined with other energy-efficient measures, reduces the CO2 equivalent emissions footprint. The primary material of the interior space, eco-friendly plywood, sets the standard for selecting materials that adhere to the cradle-to-cradle concept.
