Kyiv-based studio Ater Architects has reimagined the headquarters of Banda Creative Agency as a bright, home-like workspace, replacing conventional office design with an interior rich in vintage pieces, restored architecture and domestic comfort. Located in a 20th-century building in the city’s historic core, the project blends old-world craftsmanship with contemporary creativity.
A Creative Agency Seeking a Non-Corporate Identity
The clients explicitly requested an office that would feel more like a large, inviting apartment than a traditional workplace. Set on the second floor of a heritage building, the space required sensitive restoration, beginning with the removal of suspended ceilings to reveal intricate plaster mouldings. This juxtaposition of historical detailing and youthful creativity became the foundation of the renovation.
Operational Details: Domestic Warmth Meets Artistic Playfulness
Visitors enter through an oak-lined reception featuring restored mouldings paired with sleek modern elements like a stainless steel desk and glass-fronted coat rack. The waiting room showcases vintage Dietiker chairs and artwork by Ukrainian painter Danik Manzhos.
The central feature is the spacious main hall, anchored by a 12-seater table surrounded by 1980s plywood chairs and a vibrant canvas by artist Serhii Dekaliuk. Around the perimeter, sofa clusters, bookshelves, floor lamps and plants evoke the ambiance of a lived-in home.
Design Features: Kitchens, Nooks and Creative Corners
The dining area features metal-framed Castelli chairs and abundant greenery, while the kitchen incorporates timber cabinetry, a steel island and whimsical paint-swatch marks intentionally left around the windows. Two timber-built interior volumes house an ochre-toned bathroom, a private meeting room, and fuzzy-walled Zoom booths.
Above one volume, a whimsical “cloud” nook lined with patterned cushions offers a quiet escape. Additional amenities include a mezzanine-level workstation area and a fully equipped workshop with an aluminium pegboard for creative experimentation.
Economic Impact: Enhancing Talent Appeal and Workspace Value
By creating an environment that mirrors a relaxed, contemporary home, the redesign helps Banda strengthen its talent attraction and retention, providing a unique atmosphere aligned with the agency’s brand identity. The thoughtful restoration also boosts the long-term value and usability of the historic building.
Strategic Significance
The project demonstrates how residential aesthetics can reshape the modern workplace experience, positioning Kyiv’s creative sector as a hub for innovative office design. It aligns with broader global trends favouring flexible, personality-driven work environments and complements notable recent workspace projects across Europe.
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