Interior design as visual identity

The new headquarters of GBG – Global Biomarketing Group, a leading multinational company operating in the medical equipment and diagnostic systems sector, was recently opened in Moldova’s capital Chișinău. Housed in a new city-centre building, the office covers a 1,500 square metre area consisting of work spaces as well as rooms for conferences and corporate conventions.
The interior design project was awarded to the Chișinău-based practice AB+Partners founded by architect Alexandrin Buraga and his partner Marco Ballerini, a large firm with an international clientele specialising in contract and residential design. « When we design housing, our primary goal is the client’s comfort, » says Buraga. « But when we work on corporate spaces, our focus is to convey an image that faithfully reflects the company’s identity and mission, its « tone of voice », as well as ensuring the comfort of employees. The central idea behind this project was to use concise, essential lines to create calm and expansive spaces that would express a sense of simplicity and professionalism. In the various interiors, we opted for a neutral colour palette and a set of textures used in different combinations according to the application. »
This light and softly elegant atmosphere envelops visitors as soon as they enter the reception area, a large space dominated by cool grey tones warmed by the juxtaposition with wood. At the same time, the presence of large windows conveys a sensation of transparency that enhances the two office rooms and the waiting area, complete with rounded and softly padded seats. The large open-plan offices also feature several waiting areas, small circular islands of comfort with wraparound seating and glass walls which soften the strictly corporate style and create a homely atmosphere. All the spaces have been designed with the utmost attention to comfort and visual appeal. The sober, almost minimalist furnishings include classic desks alongside ergonomic and aesthetically pleasing chairs and armchairs in luminous grey tones that coordinate with the dark colour elements and warm wood shades, creating an attractive and at the same time intimate and familiar workspace.
The administrative office has a slightly different mood aimed at conveying a sense of greater privacy along with a touch of « nobility », « solemnity » and « visual appeal ». On the second floor is a large meeting room with a distinctively designed table and executive chairs and a conference hall that can seat more than a hundred people.
All the spaces in this prestigious headquarters make use of Italian floor and wall tiles from Florim: Timeless in the office area; Prexious by Rex for the tables; FLORIM stone for the waiting rooms and the executive office; Rock Salt for the bathrooms. « We strive to contribute to our client’s success by providing spaces that are not only practical and comfortable but are also a joy to use, » says Buraga. « To complete the GBG project in this spirit, we used tiles from Florim. They are extremely high quality products with an excellent level of design that stand out for their aesthetic appeal and durability and have helped us to create an atmosphere that is at once elegant and functional. »