INNOVA office by MAD Architects, Russia

Russian architectural bureau MAD Architects created new office for the INNOVA Company. Its main activities include localization of computer and mobile games, developing mobile applications and entertainment services. Until February 2015 the staff of the company was located in two different buildings. This prevented effective work, so the company was looking for a spacious office, which comfortably housed 250 people.

 Five-storey mansion in downtown Moscow with huge bright atrium complied with all the requirements. The MAD Architects specialists had to create an interior that is comfortable for teamwork. While designing the preference was given to simple and functional solutions that would leverage the capabilities of the building and at the same time preserve its flavor.

All functional areas are situated around the central axis of the building – the atrium with a transparent elevator and original staircase. On the ground floor near the elevator lobby, the architects placed the kitchen and dining area. Spacious wardrobe is also situated on this level. Working rooms and different open space areas occupy the first, the second, and the fourth levels of the building. In addition, nearly every level has meeting rooms of various sizes and formats. On the third floor of the mansion architects arranged the gym and showers. There is also an exit to the open veranda on this level.

 The idea of maximum openness and democracy was laid into the basis of the concept of INNOVA office design. For the interior the architects chose the most informal style – loft, signs of which are open ceiling communications painted black, and a bare concrete floor, walls and columns. Gray, black and white walls and ceilings became the perfect background for bright interior decorations, custom furniture and art objects.

Transparency in planning decisions is expressed in the rejection of superfluous walls, partitions and doors. And even where it is impossible to manage without walls, glass partitions with the thick curtains appeared.

Despite the maximum visual openness of the space, in terms of acoustics it is highly fragmented. Because of this extraneous noise does not interfere with the work of employees.

One of the architecture features of the building — open veranda on the third floor. A cozy space, with a wonderful view of the city center, in the warmer months it becomes a popular place not only for work but also for various corporate events.

The idea of a non-standard interior was realized in the "broken" design of the central part of the building and recreational areas. At ceiling level there is the dynamics profile led lighting system, drawing with the lines all the office space, passing continuously through walls and spaces; at the level of the floor there is a polygon formed by different types of floor covering: parquet and concrete. Floor slabs outstanding with indirect angles in an atrium space and a curve of the atrium railings break the usual understanding of the office geometry. The central staircase enhances the effect by breaking the geometry in the vertical plane.

The design concept also influenced the choice of furniture. The office is filled with functional tables, as well as light and mobile racks and tables. Employees sit on ergonomic office chairs from leading manufacturers.