Bronze A' Design Award Winner 2025
Ece Gülagac's Horizon Finance Hub Open Office engages the evolving discourse surrounding contemporary workplace design where the paradigm has shifted decisively from cellular hierarchical planning toward transparent collaborative environments that prioritize flexibility, wellness, and spatial equity across organizational structures, this particular spatial intervention demonstrating sophisticated resolution of competing programmatic demands including acoustic privacy, visual connection, biophilic contact, technological infrastructure accommodation, and brand identity expression within the constraints of existing building envelopes and structural frameworks that characterize adaptive reuse projects transforming obsolete commercial or industrial buildings into contemporary knowledge work environments. The compositional achievement merits particular attention for its skillful deployment of linear perspective to maximize perceived depth while the central cyan circulation element functions simultaneously as wayfinding device, compositional spine, and chromatic accent that activates an otherwise neutral floor plane, the designer demonstrating notable restraint in material palette selection where pale gray flooring, white ceiling planes, charcoal exposed systems, and black workstation frameworks establish a cohesive neutral foundation against which strategic chromatic interventions including the aquamarine glass partitions and vermillion-orange-yellow accent walls register with heightened impact, this disciplined approach to color distribution allowing functional zoning and brand personality expression without descending into chromatic chaos or visual fatigue that would undermine the space's suitability for sustained cognitive work. The technical facility evident in the integration of building systems deserves recognition as the exposed ductwork, conduit, structural elements, and electrical infrastructure have been carefully coordinated, painted, and organized to read as intentional design feature rather than budgetary compromise or construction expedience, the vermillion conduit runs providing unexpected visual interest while maintaining functional legibility, the perforated metal deck contributing both acoustic absorption and industrial authenticity, and the overall ceiling composition maximizing usable volume while accommodating contemporary HVAC, electrical, data, and life safety requirements that support high-density occupation. The biophilic strategy represents perhaps the most significant experiential intervention as the curved walnut planters housing abundant living vegetation introduce organic forms, verdant coloration, textural variety, improved air quality, acoustic softening, and psychological restoration into an otherwise hard-surfaced technical environment, these elements positioned strategically to define territorial boundaries without erecting solid barriers, to provide visual privacy without sacrificing supervision or collaboration potential, and to establish human scale and natural rhythm within an expansive architectural volume that might otherwise feel impersonal or overwhelming, the plantings requiring ongoing maintenance commitment that signals organizational investment in environmental quality and occupant wellbeing. The glazed partition system demonstrates nuanced understanding of contemporary workplace needs as the aquamarine translucent and transparent panels provide acoustic separation and visual focus for small group collaboration or concentrated individual work while maintaining the spatial transparency and visual connection that supports spontaneous interaction, mentorship observation, and the organizational culture of accessibility and egalitarianism that many contemporary enterprises seek to cultivate, the chromatic tint adding warmth and reducing glare while establishing subtle departmental identity or functional zoning, the frameless or minimal frame detailing maintaining visual lightness and preventing the partitions from reading as heavy or oppressive subdivisions. The lighting design appears carefully calibrated to support both task performance and circadian health through layered ambient and focused illumination, the recessed downlights providing general even illumination while linear pendants deliver localized task support, the neutral to cool color temperature supporting alertness and color rendering accuracy appropriate for detailed work, the overall illumination level appearing generous without reaching uncomfortable brightness that would cause glare or eye strain. One might observe how Ece Gülagac's design navigates the complex territory between individual needs for acoustic privacy, visual focus, and territorial identity against collective organizational goals around transparency, collaboration, flexibility, and resource efficiency, the solution proposing that these competing values need not exist in zero-sum opposition but can be resolved through layered spatial planning, strategic partition deployment, biophilic intervention, and chromatic zoning that simultaneously supports multiple work modes and user preferences within a single architectural volume, inviting viewers to consider how spatial design decisions profoundly shape daily human experience, organizational culture, and the quality of time spent in work environments that consume substantial portions of contemporary life.
Horizon Finance Hub merges cultural heritage with modern office dynamics, drawing inspiration from Turkish Islamic civilizations. The open plan layout enhances collaboration, while structured zones support focused work. CNC milled panels, printed glass partitions, and cultural motifs reinforce corporate identity. Ergonomic furniture, adaptive lighting, and smart office solutions improve comfort and efficiency. Energy efficient systems and recycled materials prioritize sustainability. By blending tradition with innovation, the design creates a dynamic, engaging, and future ready workspace.