Kyiv Notary Office Reimagined as Quiet Gallery

Set within a historic building on Tereshchenkivska Street in Kyiv, the office of Anna Bakay challenges conventional expectations of a legal workplace.

GALLERY

Occupying the first floor, the project reads less like a traditional notary practice and more like a private gallery or intimate workshop, shaped by a deliberate focus on atmosphere, materiality and restraint.

Positioned between Shevchenko Park and a quiet internal courtyard, the space was conceived as a calm, cohesive environment for a team of five. Rather than a sequence of functional rooms, the layout unfolds as a continuous interior guided by a set of core principles: silence, tactile richness, soft light and a grounded connection to nature. Visual noise is intentionally absent, allowing each element to hold presence and meaning.

The spatial organisation is anchored by a central core of load-bearing walls, with a near-symmetrical plan that places a gallery-like hall at its centre. This space establishes the emotional tone of the office, where art and design intersect to shape the visitor experience. A series of wooden shingle panels by sculptor Andriy Voznytskyi line the hall, reinterpreting traditional Ukrainian roofing as a symbol of protection. Crafted from reclaimed timber, including century-old wine barrels and ship beams, the material carries a rich patina of reds and muted blush tones.

Artworks and collectible design pieces are integrated throughout. A sculpture by Alexander Sukholit sits alongside mirrored lighting elements by Flos, while a ceramic piece by Yuriy Myrko introduces a subtle narrative layer. In the reception area, furniture and objects operate as a curated display, including works by Tetiana Krasutska and Italian manufacturer Riva 1920.

Designed by Oksana Dolgopyatova, the material palette reinforces a sense of quiet permanence. Textured wall finishes incorporate hemp fibres to evoke traditional mud plaster, while stained oak joinery and oxidised brass details introduce depth and age. In the owner’s office, a large-scale textile work by Oksana Levchenya forms a contemplative focal point, paired with a desk carved from Sequoia Quartzite.

Delivered entirely through remote collaboration, the project demonstrates a nuanced approach to workplace design, where emotional resonance and cultural reference take precedence over convention.

Images by Andriy Bezuglov via ArchDaily