Banda Agency, a prominent advertising firm based in Kyiv, Ukraine, has unveiled a revolutionary new office space that completely abandons traditional corporate design in favor of a flexible, workshop-style environment. Designed by ater.architects, the innovative 3,229-square-foot workspace occupies an early 20th-century building in the historic center of Kyiv and serves as both an office and a creative laboratory where employees can experiment and develop prototypes.
The transformation was driven by the client's desire to move away from conventional office layouts with fixed desks and rigid structures. "The client's main request was to move away from the idea of a conventional office with fixed desks and a rigid layout," explains Yulia Tkachenko, co-founder of ater.architects. "They envisioned a creative workshop, something closer to a spacious shared apartment. That's why we opted for a flexible layout – every zone can be easily transformed depending on the task or mood of the day."
The design team carefully balanced preservation with innovation, restoring original architectural elements while incorporating striking modern features. The high ceilings and historic texture of the early 20th-century building set the foundation for the project, with original moldings and decorative friezes meticulously restored to maintain their presence. These historic elements are complemented by contemporary additions, including aluminum surfaces that reflect light throughout the space, creating a dynamic interplay between old and new.
The main hall serves as the heart of collaborative activities, featuring soft seating arrangements and communal tables that encourage interaction and teamwork. A particularly innovative feature is a raised corridor section that transforms into a presentation stage, demonstrating the space's adaptable nature. The dining area showcases a long table for 12 people, paired with bent plywood chairs from the 1980s, while low storage units subtly divide the space into three distinct groups, each accommodating three to five people and featuring vintage pieces and specialized lighting.
Unlike traditional offices, dedicated workstations with monitors are deliberately limited and located on a mezzanine above one of the central hall's cubic volumes. Access to the second section is provided through doors with rounded glass panels, reminiscent of those found on the city's historic trams, adding a local cultural touch to the design. This section houses upholstered Zoom rooms that blend comfort with acoustic performance for private meetings and calls.
One of the most distinctive features is the "cloud lounge," a popular relaxation space accessed by climbing a metal ladder. The walls and floor of this elevated retreat are covered in fabric with a sky print, creating a serene environment where employees can recharge during the workday. This unique space exemplifies the office's commitment to employee well-being and creative inspiration.
The workshop area represents the culmination of the office's innovative approach, serving as an open makerspace integrated into the far hall where anyone is free to experiment and explore concepts. The wall is lined with aluminum pegboards that function as a flexible system for storing tools and materials needed for prototyping and model-making. This hands-on approach allows team members to physically create and test ideas, bridging the gap between digital concepts and tangible prototypes.
In a thoughtful touch that reinforces the company's achievements and aspirations, the agency's many awards are prominently displayed throughout the workshop area. This display serves as both a reminder of past accomplishments and motivation for future creative endeavors, fostering a sense of collective pride and ambition among team members.
The project was led by Oleksandr Ivasiv and Yuliya Tkachenko of ater.architects, with photography by Yevhenii Avramenko capturing the space's unique blend of historic charm and contemporary functionality. This innovative office design represents a significant departure from traditional workplace concepts, offering a model for how creative agencies can create environments that truly support and inspire their teams' work.
