The project concerns the interior design proposal for the spatial configuration of an office space in Dubai. More specifically, it is about renovating a relatively small space to house the offices of a company active in the construction sector, mainly in African countries. From the very beginning, the main goal was the creation of a functional space that best exploits the available surface, while at the same time capturing and highlighting the company's unique identity.

First, entering the office space one faces the reception desk opposite. In the same space as the reception and in direct eye contact with it, there is a small sitting area. A floor screen visually and audibly isolates the entrance and reception area from the rest of the open office space. Just behind the reception, two new partition walls are inserted, which contain the meeting room. A large screen hangs from the wall right on the back of the reception. Next to the door of the meeting room a corner is formed for the placement of a small coffee bench. The workstations for the employees were preferred to share an undivided, open space in the central part of the office space. This way of placement has been considered the most appropriate as it takes advantage of the limited space available, while giving more flexibility so that workstations can operate either individually or in combination to meet the different operational needs that may arise. The building program also called for two directors’ offices, a visiting director office and a large office for the managing director. These rooms of particular importance were preferred to be closed and placed in the most privileged positions, throughout the perimeter of the office space where there are windows, in order to ensure their privacy, view, natural lighting and ventilation.

Closed office space is separated from the unified, open office space with glass partitions, which allow sunlight to reach all office spaces while at the same time making it possible for the workstations to have visual contact with the outside space. The existing false ceiling is retained, with some minor modifications, so that construction costs are kept low. On all existing walls, where possible, sound absorbing panels are placed in various patterns and colours, which, combined with the use of wall-to-wall carpeting, are designed to reduce noise and improve working conditions. In all office spaces, the necessary storage spaces are created wherever possible. The choice of materials and colours was made taking into account the object on which the company operates, the area in which it operates and its corporate identity.

Location: Dubai, UAE

Architectural Design: Panagiotis Zakkas, Architect

Project Year: 2016