Rina Lovko Studio have designed a refined office space for Ukrainian headwear brand Ruslan Baginskiy that looks to embrace the beauty of imperfection. With a synergy of views, the process was one of collaboration as Lovko sought to reflect the brand’s traditional production techniques and timeless aesthetics throughout the interior.

Located in the 19th century monument, Kyiv’s House with Lions, the office is the second collaboration between the two Ukrainian creatives. Previously, the architect worked on the renovation of the milliner’s showroom in the adjacent space. Following on from the tone of the last project, Lovko followed adaptive minimalism principles to re-introduce the preserved interior elements.

Although the original stucco was destroyed during the last reconstruction, part of the brick wall was left untouched with all of its textural flaws as well as the Soviet cast-iron batteries, and wardrobe of the previous owners — repainted to match the office palette.

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To emphasise the high ceilings and preserve the spirit of the 200-year-old building, the electrical wiring was left open, walls were rounded for the effect of a single streamlined space and all surfaces were painted in a common palette with a light grey industrial microcement floor.

Designed with a focus on functionality and aesthetics, a custom made work table for six with separate light sources was devised. In the same area, there is a wardrobe for samples of fabrics, new products and accessories, as well as a creative director’s workplace with shelves for sketches and inspirational decor elements that Ruslan adds to his collection during travels.

With Ruslan often mixing flea market and luxury things in his personal style, the interior provides space for creative chaos, with mostly vintage furniture used—the GDR times green table lamps, armchairs brought from Switzerland upholstered in sky-blue fabric and the 1960s accent lamps by the Dutch GEPO. Celebrating this note of beautiful imperfection, the CEO’s children were allowed to decorate the walls in the office with drawings, adding a sentimental personal touch to the interior.

[Images courtesy of Rina Lovko Studio.]