Bolshakova Interiors: Designing the Interior for AB Games Studio

Design studio, Bolshakova Interiors, looked to a world of famous legends and iconic book characters when designing the new office for the international gamedev (game development) company AB Games.

“We wanted to break the stereotype of a teenage style office design in the gaming industry and show how a creative spirit can reside in a sophisticated grown-up design”, – said Nataly Bolshakova, founder and lead designer at Bolshakova Interiors.

The free spirit of design

The primary objective of the studio’s project for designers was to craft a vibrant space conducive to the creation of virtual worlds, ensuring utmost comfort for the workers. The client sought a contemporary interior with a restrained yet playful and imaginative essence, reflecting the creative DNA of the AB Games team throughout every corner.

“Our solution was to pick a dark colour theme as a canvas on which some interior areas are highlighted with the help of deep blue, red, or yellow. We also left tones of space and white walls for AB Games workers so they would inhabit and fulfil it with their own creativity,” – comments Nataly Bolshakova.

The space division

AB Games advocates for a flexible work environment, empowering employees to choose when and where they work. In alignment with this ethos, architects allocated a significant portion of the 2,800 square metre space to social interaction areas, including a canteen, library, bar, kitchen, several spacious terraces, and communal rooms. These social spaces, designed with an open layout, are interspersed with secluded areas dedicated to focused and uninterrupted work. A distinctive red corridor, illuminated with LED backlighting, serves as a transition zone between the formal work areas and informal communal spaces, symbolising a shift between relaxation and productivity.

A beloved feature of the office is the “DoubleWin” built-in bar, where a skilled barista brews fresh coffee each morning, transitioning to offering homemade cocktails for late-night workers. The “Katleta” kitchen, named after traditional Ukrainian meat patties, is strategically separated from the canteen to prevent mingling food aromas. The library, housing a diverse array of comics and fantasy books, serves as a serene haven for employees seeking inspiration for new games. Restrooms feature inventive door indicators inspired by Star Wars characters, conceived and developed by AB Games’ award-winning in-house design team.

The CEO’s office exudes a distinctive style compared to the rest of the office interior, characterised by a neutral beige color scheme, refined solid wood accents, and a minimalist atmosphere. Notable design elements include a bespoke table crafted by Bertolotto from solid walnut with a unique pattern, a sleek suspension lamp by Flos, luxurious armchairs by Poltrona Frau, and a special edition wallpaper by Hermes featuring a city silhouette.

The legend of location

AB Games office is located on the 10th floor of a newly constructed building, overlooking the historical hills. According to the legend, the city of Kyiv was established on this place in the 5th century by three brothers, Kyi, Shchek, Khoryv, and their sister Lybid. They were so fascinated with the natural beauty of the hilly green shores of the Dnipro river that they immediately decided to found there a great city for Slavic tribes. The name Kyiv was given after Kyi, the eldest of the brothers.

“It is a place where the story of Ukraine’s capital begins, the origin of all great legends we have in our history. Therefore, we feel that it is really inspiring to be here and spread our passion for beautiful virtual places around the world” – Anton Bolshakov, founder of the AB Games.

The details

The Bolshakova Interiors team meticulously addressed the specific technical requirements and intricate details for each department. For instance, every meeting room features a sound isolation system for both the floor and walls, while the open space area is equipped with transparent shelf partitions. In the designer’s room, blackout curtains and a diffuse reflection lighting system were installed to prevent any shadows that might distort the colours of drawings.

The interior style is characterised by sophisticated minimalism, prioritising both comfort and functionality. Among the notable design brands featured in the project are upholstery furniture from B&B and Poltrona Frau, wallpapers by Hermes, suspension lighting from Luce&Light and Flos, the Mesh lamp designed by Francisco Gomez Paz for Luceplan, and the iconic Magic Spun chair by Thomas Heatherwick for Herman Miller, among others.

Project name – AB Games Kyiv studio
Location – historical center of Kyiv, Ukraine
Project space – 2800 sq. m.
Design studio – Bolshakova Interiors
Team members: Nataly Bolshakova, Julia Artyh, Nataliia Pavlova, Olga Boiko
Photographer – Andrey Avdeenko
Project completion date – December 2021

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