The brief was to create a contemporary office that would remain connected to the architectural character of old Kyiv — without literally recreating the past, using decorative imitations, or introducing details that only appear authentic.
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The story begins in the reception area. Instead of a formal transitional zone, we designed a space with the intimate atmosphere of a cigar lounge. Deep wood tones, natural leather, stone, soft lighting, and a restrained palette create a sense of privacy and calm.
Leather sofas and armchairs form a composition that feels closer to a living room than a conventional office reception. It is a place for an informal meeting, a quiet wait before a conversation, or simply a moment to slow down.
At the same time, the interior remains distinctly contemporary. The clean forms of the furniture and lighting contrast with tactile materials and classical spatial proportions. This creates the intended balance: the historical character can be felt, yet it never becomes a stage set.
The large meeting table becomes the compositional center of the room and supports different scenarios, from formal negotiations to team discussions. The kitchen and bar sit right behind it, so the 2 functional zones read as a single continuous space.
Contemporary elements are integrated with restraint: rather than competing with the space, they emphasize its scale and proportions. Preserving the maximum ceiling height and leaving the structural beams exposed therefore became a key design decision. The architecture of the building remains visible and continues to shape the interior.
In the private offices, the overall concept becomes more restrained and personal. The aim was to create an environment for focused work while preserving the continuity of the project and the atmosphere established in the shared spaces.
Natural wood, leather, textile surfaces, and stone form a warm, tactile setting. Deep natural tones do not overwhelm the interior; instead, they give it a sense of substance and permanence. Exposed beams and the preserved ceiling height maintain the scale of the rooms, while integrated lighting creates more intimate working scenarios.
We introduced elements more commonly associated with residential interiors: lounge chairs, libraries, local lighting, and small conversation areas. As a result, the offices do not feel overly formal or detached. They remain professional while offering a sense of privacy and comfort.
In this project, the historical context was never treated as decoration, nor was modernity pursued for its own sake.
The interior grew from the character of the building itself, combining its scale and memory with the functionality of a contemporary workplace.
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