Bold, efficient, and global, Skytrade Global Enterprises, a major participant in the bitumen industry, sought to have such a work environment that reflected their set of values regarding dependability and resilience. The mission assigned to us, their appointed interior designers, was to create a space which is both strong and flexible. We delivered this to Skytrade Global Enterprises at FCB Mihrab through the vision ‘Powerhouse’.
The design process emphasised the use of clean lines and a strict layout. We incorporated the latest trends in office designs, which focus on transparency and interconnectivity. We sought to ensure that although each department (Management, Server, and Storage) has its allocated area, the entire office is able to serve as one common environment that enables collaboration.
Architectural Partitions:
We made use of quality gypsum partitions to create distinct areas like the Private Manager’s Office and the Sensitive Server Room. The partitions were meant to guarantee privacy and consistency in appearance.
Feature Louvres:
In this project, we included features of custom louvres on the partition walls. This is one of the strategies for creating 'screen' design elements for concealing functions while ensuring the flow within the working space or office setting for a smart office fit-out solution.
The “Powerhouse” Entrance:
The reception area designed with a purpose to impress the client right from the start with custom branding elements which represent its position in the world market right from inception when the client steps into the premise
Effective teamwork means healthy teamwork. In our design for Skytrade, we provided:
Ergonomic layout designs facilitating ease of movement and providing adequate working distance between stations.
Integrated kitchen & refreshment area giving everyone a chance to rest throughout their workday.
Acoustic Privacy:
Storage units and solid partitions are allocated specific locations that facilitate preventing noise generated in the reception and kitchen areas from disrupting concentrated work in the private offices.
The colour scheme was chosen to signify a corporate yet dynamic corporate entity:
Bright White Foundations:
The walls throughout the entire residence were painted a bright, highly reflective white, which gives the impression of being larger.
Dark Greys & Blacks:
Custom seating and fixtures employing dark grey materials for the same with black accents present an element of sophistication to serve as an important reminder of the bitumen industry itself.
Bespoke Reception Seating:
The design of our reception seating is bespoke with 100 mm thick high-density cushions in dark grey. This is intended to provide our visitors with a stylish and comfortable welcoming experience.
"Custom Cabinetry":
The kitchen and pantry are finished with custom cabinetry and are designed to ensure that the 3500 mm high ceiling is maximised to provide space optimisation in this office space.
With floor-to-ceiling windows characterising the offices at FCB Mihrab, our designers were determined to incorporate natural light into our Nairobi offices. We did this by designing the space to ensure plenty of natural light can pass through low furniture and carefully placed glass.
Turnkey Management:
The project involved the management of the demolition of the old structure and the tear-down of new electrical, plumbing, and finish work.
Quality Assurance:
Every switch, socket, and custom joint had been inspected for final quality before they were allowed to satisfy our "no fail" requirement.
Diba Studios
Nairobi, Kenya
February 10, 2025
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