Unilever Istanbul Office Design | Ekphrastics
Unilever Istanbul Office Design  by YALIN TAN + PARTNERS

Unilever Istanbul Office Design

Golden A' Design Award Winner 2024

Curving undulations of warm honey-toned timber planters establish the immediate foreground, their sinuous organic forms creating a rhythmic serpentine pathway that guides the eye through YALIN TAN + PARTNERS's remarkable lobby atrium, where biophilic design principles achieve full expression through the integration of living botanical elements with contemporary architectural vocabulary. The compositional architecture employs a radial organization emanating from the central sculptural logomark, an intricately laser-cut decorative panel rendered in rose-gold or copper-toned metal featuring elaborate floral and geometric motifs that transform corporate identity into ornamental artistry. Towering bird-of-paradise plants, broad-leafed tropical specimens, and delicate fern fronds create vertical green punctuation marks throughout the curved planter beds, their verdant emerald and forest green foliage providing chromatic counterpoint to the warm ochre, caramel, and blonde wood tones of the custom millwork. The ceiling plane presents a spectacular composition of suspended organic fabric canopies in earthy umber and terracotta hues, interspersed with circular wooden acoustic elements resembling sliced tree rounds that reference natural growth patterns while providing acoustic absorption. Sinuous LED light installations trace flowing cursive paths through the upper volume, their warm white illumination creating ethereal calligraphic gestures against the expansive curtain wall glazing system. The soaring glass envelope establishes a floor-to-ceiling transparency that dissolves boundaries between interior and exterior, admitting abundant natural daylight that creates dappled shadow patterns across the polished stone or terrazzo flooring. The color harmony operates within an analogous warm palette ranging from pale champagne through golden amber to deep sienna, accented by the verdant botanical elements and the soft rose-gold metallic highlights. Spatial depth achieves remarkable articulation through the layered transparency of the glass curtain wall revealing urban context beyond, the intermediate zone of suspended installations and hanging greenery, and the immediate foreground of sculptural planters creating intimate human-scaled moments within the generous double-height volume.

Unilever Istanbul's innovative office design stands out for its commitment to inclusive and sustainable workspaces. With gender-neutral facilities, private pods, and well-being rooms, it fosters diversity and employee well-being. Biophilic elements, natural materials, and advanced lighting automation enhance productivity. This design's strength lies in creating a harmonious balance between functionality, comfort, and environmental responsibility, setting a new standard for modern workplaces.