Project name: Alfa Bank
Interior design: ZROBIM architects
Design Team: Mark Hurda, Anna Kutsko
Location: Minsk, Belarus
Photo: Ksenia Varavko
Area: 197 m2
Year: 2024
Project description from design firms ZROBIM architects
LOCATION
The office is located in a modern HELEN&VALERY building on the shore of the Drozdov reservoir and occupies the entire first floor. The building’s facades are nearly 100% glass, offering stunning views of the reservoir and the surrounding forest.
CONCEPT
Our task was to create a comfortable space for client interactions and to rethink and develop a new office type for the company. Considering the company’s corporate culture and the location of the site, we focused on nature, natural materials, and functionality. The interior is minimalist and restrained, free from unnecessary decor and visual clutter, yet enriched with intriguing accents like metal and natural stone. The main philosophy is to create a sense that the glass has dissolved, blending the office seamlessly with the surrounding nature into a unified whole.



CHALLENGES
The client required us to incorporate up to six essential rooms into the layout. With 80% of the office walls being glass, we aimed to preserve the “airiness” of the space. To achieve this, we minimized the number of solid walls, building them only around the cashier area and the manager’s office. Other rooms are enclosed with glass to maintain openness.
DESIGN AND ELEMENTS
The interior is built on a foundation of two materials: walnut-toned veneer and clinker tiles. This solid base is enhanced with glass, metal elements — such as doors, furniture, and branding — and compositions of natural stone. To blur the boundary between the interior and nature, we designed a flowing sand dune line along the entire glass perimeter, which extends into the interior and is complemented by plants along its contour.


MEETING ROOMS
A key challenge was designing meeting rooms that wouldn’t connect to the ceiling and would be 90% glass. We introduced metal door portals that mimic the look of bank vault doors. Structural elements are concealed within these portals, hidden beneath the floor covering and veneered ceiling. Only a few polished metal columns remain visible.
To house utilities such as ventilation, lighting, and acoustics, we installed glossy-finish metal cylinders between the meeting room ceilings and the main ceiling. These cylinders visually blend into the space, making them nearly unnoticeable.



FURNITURE
Most of the furniture was custom-made based on our studio’s designs. Given the minimalist foundation of the space, we added character through unique, bespoke pieces. The reception desk serves as the centerpiece of the interior. Designed as a “command bridge of a spaceship,” it features metal, a stone base, and a large lightbox acting as a guiding beacon. This complex composition underwent over 15 iterations before the final design was achieved. Another standout piece is the chief manager’s desk. To maintain the office’s uncluttered feel, we opted for a suspended desktop with a refined metal edge and leather finish. Despite its light and nearly weightless appearance, it conceals a complex internal frame and carefully engineered support system.
BRANDING
At the entrance, visitors are greeted by a 3-ton stone block shaped like the letter “A” — a sort of modern Stonehenge symbolizing the reliability and honesty of Alfa-Bank. All client-interactive elements feature the company’s signature embossing and integrate hidden wireless charging systems for added convenience.





LIGHTING
The office operates primarily during daylight hours, so we reimagined lighting as a navigational tool. Flexible neon lights guide visitors from the entrance to the cashier area and manager’s office. Meeting room lights are motion-activated, eliminating the need for manual switches and enhancing client convenience.
CEILINGS
Office ceilings are often a challenge due to the many technical elements they house. To maintain a clean appearance, we developed a system of removable perforated panels. This design conceals communications and technical systems while allowing easy access for servicing.
OUTCOME
The result is a concise and elegant office that blends seamlessly with nature, reflecting the company’s values and prioritizing client comfort. The thoughtful design ensures functionality and visual harmony, creating an inspiring space for interactions and work.



