VOL12
Architects: balbek bureau / Slava Balbek, Lena Bryantseva, Yevhenii Kuchmin, Mariia Kovalenko
Project manager: Ivan Sukhomlyn
Project area: 550 sq. m
Project year: 2021
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Photo credits: Andrey Bezuglov
ABOUT | CONCEPT | INTERIOR DESIGN | TEAM
ABOUT
Vol12 is a corporate space in the heart of Kyiv, with an area of 550 sq. m. Our main task was to equip a comfortable, modern office for approximately 30 people. Another goal was to integrate any existing engineering communications into our design and fit the space with high-quality sound insulation.
CONCEPT
Having analyzed the company, as well as the average ages of the team (40+) and their needs, we decided to focus on simplicity and minimalism. Our team designed a coherent, monochrome space with no excess decor and visual noise, enhanced with polished metal constructions and other distinctive elements. Materials were implemented in their authentic state: concrete – rugged and textured, metal – rough and bare, wood – always genuine, never imitated.
INTERIOR DESIGN
The space is divided into a reception area, open-plan workspace, executives offices, two meeting rooms, workspaces with hot desks, lounge and a central hub in the form of a cube containing utility closets, kitchen and restrooms.
The vestibule consists of a reception stand and a partition, which separates the hall from the corridor. The partition is made of aluminum-plated panels, polished to a satin finish. On the side of the corridor, the partition functions as a storage area containing a coffee machine, minibar, printers, and cloakroom, providing a comfortable waiting area for visitors.
The facade of the reception desk is constructed out of concrete and stone plates, each a different width, thickness, texture and finish. The plinth is pushed back, and this side of the facade is fitted with LED lighting, accentuating the texture and volume of the surface above. The countertop is made of solid slate.
The whole space is fitted with an elevated floor: a construction that houses all the electrics, network cables, and plumbing. The lightweight and demountable structure provides easy access to the engineering elements under it, without any significant interference into the surroundings. Most of the flooring is carpeted – navy for the offices and light grey for communal areas. The entrance, reception, kitchen and bar areas are fitted with black, textured linoleum. This decision stemmed from the need to highlight the distinction between work and rest areas, providing a durable surface for high-transit zones.
The ceiling, with its electrical wiring and communications, was left exposed. We chose to use a heavy stucco finish, applying it to all engineering elements on the ceiling. The reception area, the corridor of the executive offices and the lounge were all fitted with insulated disk-shaped acoustic panels filled with pressed shavings. The panels isolate noise and, due to their geometry, accent the zoning.
The corridor floor is equipped with LED strips, dramatically highlighting the texture of the stucco finish on the wall. The positioning of the profiles and the properties of the diffusers make the lighting comfortable at eye level. The warm tones of the LED strips and the rest of the lighting (except for the lamps with floodlights above the desk areas) bring a comfortable and pleasant atmosphere into the generally restrained and composed design. The space is also livened by a multitude of plants, placed into concrete planters.
The second concrete reception stand located next to the executive offices was constructed directly on site. The first step was to construct a timber formwork, into which concrete mix was poured. After the concrete set, the formwork was removed, imprinting the timber planks' rough, unfinished texture onto the surface. The concrete stand was then lacquered but left unpolished as not to interfere with the uneven texture of the surface.
Meeting rooms are separated from the general area using glass partitions. They have a sound-absorbing effect due to a system of aluminum profiles and double-glazed glass. Fluted glass panels were used on the side of the open-plan work area, while tempered glass panels were used on the meeting room side. The matte film between them provides privacy.
A wavy metallic partition separates the work areas from the rest areas. It is made from polished, cold-rolled pipe. Taking into account the weight of the partition, a specific type of foundation was fitted underneath it, with the help of which the structure was safely and discreetly fixed into place. A laser-cut plate was placed where the partition meets the carpeting to achieve a clean junction. Monolithic tables placed in the lounge area are made of concrete, with wheels fitted into the framework, allowing them to be easily moved, and the lounge to be completely rearranged if needed.
The sofas are custom made according to our design by a local furniture manufacturer. The soft furnishings in the lounge area and the main reception are designed by Ukrainian brand propro. The barstools in the kitchen are vintage, sourced in Europe. All other office furniture, including tables, cabinets, and office chairs, were ordered from Italian manufacturer Cinetica.
The central focal point of the space is the cubic utility zone, made out of veneered MDF panels. The cube is an island inside the workspace, with cyclical and ordered movement flowing around it.
The cube consists of a cloakroom, a print room, restrooms, a shower room, a kitchen and a minibar. The kitchen unit facades are made of polished stainless steel. The same material is used for the console tables, fixed to a concrete facade, at which one can grab a cup of coffee or some lunch prepared in the office kitchen.
The restrooms are decorated by a Ukrainian graffiti artist, based on illustrations by Petr Bankov and Masha Trotzky. These bright accents allow you to take a break from the serious and monochrome atmosphere of the workspace.
For our team, the corporate space design process always starts with a deep analysis of the employees' needs and habits. This approach allows us to understand the company's corporate culture and create a custom interior reflecting this culture. For some companies, the concept might include fun rooms, colored lightboxes, and other elements aimed to boost creativity, while for VOL12 owners the solution was a restrained design, with an emphasis on functionality. We have created a space where employees can focus on their work and perform it in comfort and thus, have helped our clients communicate their values through the design.
TEAM
