We were tasked with designing Microsoft’s office in Minsk, Belarus, following our successful collaboration on their offices in Skopje, Macedonia. Microsoft’s workplace design guidelines prioritize creating a space that caters to both employees and visitors, with branding that goes beyond logos and colors. In designing the Minsk office, we aimed to incorporate regional context while maintaining Microsoft’s strong visual brand. The design strikes a balance between Microsoft’s contemporary needs and local patterns, colors, and atmosphere, avoiding literal representations of the local culture and stereotypes. To create two distinct atmospheres for visitors and employees, we designed a more welcoming and moody reception, hallway, and hub area, while the formal workspace is clean and bright with enough layers to feel personable. We achieved these atmospheres by combining carefully selected furniture from diverse brands and our own custom-designed furniture, which was hand-made locally in Minsk. Throughout the project, we collaborated with multiple corporate stakeholders and managed to organize various companies (IT, A/V, security, etc.). We planned and integrated the necessary equipment into the project and overcame any construction problems quickly without impacting the schedule or the functionality and look of the office space.

existing condition