acrylic sheets add transparency to four-dimensional office by rooydaad architects in istanbul

rooydaad architects turns istanbul apartment into a workspace

Rooydaad Architects unveils an office space for Faro Trading Company, located in a residential apartment in Istanbul’s Kadıköy district. The Tehran-based design team uses acrylic sheets, a material chosen for its transparency and capacity to foster an inviting and open atmosphere, aligning with the client’s needs. Intended as the CEO’s personal office and primary meeting area, the project transforms a dimly lit, disjointed apartment into a semi-transparent environment. To enhance spatial fluidity, the design organizes functional elements along the Y-axis, integrating shelves, drawers, kitchen cupboards, and window treatments into a linear, translucent layer that opens up the space. The X-axis features acrylic dividers that create open cells, each accommodating specific functions.

A central, substantial object anchors the design, serving as a pivotal element that divides the room and establishes a clear sense of orientation. This bold presence creates front, back, and side delineations, providing structure amid the floating elements. The result is a four-dimensional office that invites exploration and interaction, with the fluid movement of its occupants revealing the full experience of Faro over time. 

all images courtesy of Rooydaad Architects

non-architectural elements blur faro’s functional boundaries

The initial challenge Rooydaad Architects faced was addressing the apartment’s layout, which included a dark corridor leading to interconnected rooms that evoked discomfort in visitors. To overcome this, the Iranian firm employed three strategies. First, acrylic sheets were used to enhance spatial transparency and invite openness. Second, a semi-open workspace was created, offering the CEO of Faro a private yet accessible area for meetings. Circulation is facilitated through an open-access corridor with flexible, translucent partitions that encourage movement and interaction among the office’s various areas. Finally, non-architectural elements were incorporated to define spaces and blur functional boundaries, introducing an ambiance of public art within the office. 

Rooydaad Architects unveils an office space for Faro Trading Company

located in a residential apartment in Istanbul’s Kadıköy district

acrylic sheets are chosen for their transparency and capacity to foster an inviting and open atmosphere

the space is intended as the CEO’s personal office and primary meeting area

necessary elements are streamlined into a multi-functional layer

emphasizing fluidity and clarity

a central, prominent object was introduced to anchor the space, serving as a focal point

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axonometric drawing by Rooydaad Architects

floor plan by Rooydaad Architects

section by Rooydaad Architects

project info:

name: Faro

architect: Rooydaad Architects | @rooydaad
location: Kadıköy, Istanbul, Turkey
principal architects: Zahra Armand, Mostafa Omidbakhsh

design team: Sara Ghafoori, Hana Mobaraki

executive team: Hooman Alinia, Artash Dourson 

graphic: Ali Gorjian
area: 160 sqm (1,722.2 sqft)

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom