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

Unilever Istanbul Office Design

Golden A' Design Award Winner 2024

Scanning this double-height lobby atrium from ground level upward, listeners encounter a warmly welcoming interior space where natural and designed elements interweave to create an environment reminiscent of a contemporary botanical garden pavilion. The floor presents a smooth, cool surface in pale neutral tones, likely polished stone or terrazzo, reflecting the abundant natural light entering through the soaring glass walls. Rising from this floor, curved planter beds constructed of honey-colored wood create undulating organic forms suggesting gentle rolling hills or flowing water, their surfaces appearing smooth and warmly tactile like sanded oak furniture. These planters contain rich dark soil from which emerge substantial tropical plants including tall bird-of-paradise specimens with large paddle-shaped leaves reaching upward, broad-leafed tropical plants with deep emerald green foliage, and delicate ferns with feathery fronds in lighter spring green tones. At center, a sculptural decorative panel in warm rose-gold or copper metal displays an intricate ornamental design composed of botanical and geometric motifs, laser-cut to create elaborate positive and negative patterns that catch and reflect light. Looking upward, the ceiling presents a dramatic composition of suspended elements creating a layered canopy overhead. Fabric installations in warm earthy tones ranging from terracotta through umber billow gently across the ceiling, interspersed with circular wooden panels resembling cross-sections of tree trunks in various golden-brown tones. Flowing through this overhead landscape, sinuous LED light fixtures trace graceful curved paths, their warm white illumination creating ribbon-like calligraphic gestures in the air. The enclosing walls consist primarily of floor-to-ceiling glass panels with slender metal frames, creating transparent boundaries that admit abundant daylight and reveal urban views beyond, generating an atmosphere of openness and connection to the wider world.

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.