SAP Development Center
2014
Bringing Istanbul's neighborhoods to the heart of an office
Discipline:
Interior Design
Type:
Office
Status:
Built
Client:
SAP Turkey
Project Manager:
OPTIM OBERMEYER
Contractor:
OPTIMUUM
Project Date:
2013
Construction Date:
2014
Construction Area:
1.380 m2
Landscape Architect:
AARTI
Mechanical Engineer:
TOTAL TEKNIK
Electrical Engineer:
PROTA
Lighting Consultant:
UKON
Photographer:
Gürkan Akay
For MUUM the most important starting points in designing a creative, innovative, and flexible ambiance for the interior of the SAP Development Centre, which will be used by high-quality intellects working in the field of technology and renewal, were to convey the characteristic qualities of Istanbul and to reflect the corporate values of SAP.
While the central concept of the design was the theme of “design thinking”, which originated in Silicon Valley in America and has become one of the foremost elements of contemporary business life; the designers sought to create a garage atmosphere that would motivate the users with a sense of incompleteness. The other important criterion was ensuring flexibility through entirely movable furniture, thereby making it possible to reshape the office on a daily basis as required.
Challenge
The layout of the SAP Development Centre was arranged on the theme of the city square, unlike the accustomed individual offices and open plan working areas. A large shared area was designed, including a cafeteria, with the individual identities of thematic sections enhanced by employing local, cultural, and social touches.
Thereby this area offers different opportunities for socialising while at the same time, its flexible technological infrastructure makes it possible to use it as a shared working area. The long corridor was given the character of a main street that was a modern interpretation of main streets in different neighborhoods of Istanbul, encompassing seating areas that enable people to work and communicate in friendly surroundings. Artistic Istanbul silhouettes on the walls further emphasize the Istanbul theme.
Solution
Small rooms on the “Street” are named after Istanbul’s best-known parks, such as Gezi, Bebek, and Maçka, and are designed as private working areas for one or two users.
Four working areas named after old areas of Istanbul-Beyoğlu, Kadıköy, Balat ve Karaköy were planned for the software developers who are the main users of the space. The thematic design aims to offer appropriate alternatives for different working requirements and by enabling users to experience Istanbul in a symbolic sense, enable them to establish links with local values.
Thanks to its flexible infrastructure and movable furniture, the project area enables users to completely reevaluate and reorganise their approaches, strategies, and methods every day.