City Guide by FunderMax. Communication with the city through the interiors of public spaces

/ Technologies /

In volume #27 of PRAGMATIKA.MEDIA, we continued to talk about the degree of well-being, exploring the markers of urban diseases. A tourist's acquaintance with the city usually begins at the airport or train station, and ends in the hotel room. 

Not only parks, streets and architecture, but also popular public spaces: metro stations, shopping malls, restaurants, medical complexes are a litmus test of urban well-being and the level of consciousness of the population. The FunderMax company takes care of comfort in public spaces, providing architects and designers with high-quality, reliable material for work, because everyone knows: people meet by clothes.

Airport stop

The degree of well-being of the city can be judged by the appearance of public spaces. The interiors of shopping and entertainment centers, cinemas, hotels, train stations and even public toilets speak eloquently about the level of city life and current changes in politics, economy, and education. Public spaces are by no means markers of the individual taste and budget of an individual customer, like residential premises, but are indicators of the level of culture of a whole section of the community.

Competent ergonomics, modern innovative technologies, ease of navigation, inclusiveness — these and many other factors affect the comfort of a person's stay in a public place. In many ways, the quality of the design of such spaces also depends on the materials used in it. The Austrian company FunderMax, which has been producing HPL panels for over 60 years, gives architects and designers the opportunity to use this absolutely universal material in the implementation of their projects.

We will try to trace the role FunderMax plays in the life of public space as if we were not there in our daily routine, but were reading cultural codes for the first time. It is as if we are following the route of a tourist or guest who has come to the capital from another city or country for a couple of days. What first catches your eye? What is the life of the townspeople like?

Terminal D of the capital airport "Boryspil"

An urban landscape frozen in memory from a bird's eye view, a cursory glance along the Duty Free shelves, a prospectus in your hands and a cappuccino from the machine - this is how getting to know the city begins from the airport. "Air Gate of the Capital" in Boryspil has been operating since 1960 and currently provides more than half of air passenger transportation in Ukraine. The airport serves more than 10 million people a year. The opening of the largest and most powerful terminal D in the country is connected with the famous Euro-2012. Just then, on the day of the final match in Kyiv, Boryspil set a record for flights: their number was 630.

It is difficult to overestimate the degree of responsibility and load of a strategically important facility, the capacity of which is 3000 passengers per departure and the same per arrival, an air transport hub at the intersection of the trajectories of Asia, Europe and America, a public space where representatives of 25 national and foreign companies meet .

The interior of Boryspil airport terminal D is made using FunderMax HPL panels

Here, the need for a high-quality interior, in the decoration of which wear-resistant, reliable materials with high aesthetic qualities are used, is obvious. The design of the new halls of Terminal D and the interior of the parking lot are made using FunderMax HPL panels.

You can continue your acquaintance with the city by taking a taxi, metro, bus or walking. And if you travel through Kyiv on a high-speed tram, then at the station "Hnata Yury" and the final route "Kiltseva doroga" the attention of a guest of the capital will be attracted by the bright design of the stops, where panels from FunderMax are recognizable again. However, we do not stop here for a long time, but move on.

 

"Miskrada" stop

With the change in the paradigm of state power, the appearance of those public spaces, where the interests of representatives of the city administration and the people directly collide, also changes.

Hall of the Kyiv City State Administration, project of AIMM studio architects

The reconstruction of the interior of the Kyiv City State Administration was intended to demonstrate the transformation, the transition from one historical and political tradition to another, exposing the past and combining it with the modern understanding of the state. The architecture of the middle of the last century with its pomp, power and frighteningly massive image of power remained in the interior as a hint, like a quote from a history textbook. For the most part, the space embodies the idea of ​​openness, accessibility and transparency of information, humanity and equal dialogue between representatives of the administration and residents of the capital.

The architects of the AIMM studio, working on the project, tried to implement the above concept. The space is organized in such a way that children, pensioners, and people with limited physical abilities are equally comfortable. Historical elements are preserved and articulated. The interior turned out to be very modern, fresh, bright, solemn, promotes a good psychological state and mood for positive changes, calls for communication.

The interior of KMDA embodies the idea of ​​an equal dialogue between the authorities and citizens

White was chosen as the main color. It fills the room with air, expands the space without overloading it. All the "white matter" is made of FunderMax HPL panels. They are involved in the decoration of walls, columns, and ceilings in the main hall and offices. 2 mm thick slabs were used for the arches. In the design of the electronic queue device, FunderMax played the role of a veneer on the MDF board material.

The furniture was partly made of a solid sheet, partly using fanilam (plastic glued to plywood). In bathrooms and corridors, where it was necessary to hide engineering communications, perforated panels were used as a decorative element. Sanitary cubicles, doors and furniture made entirely of FunderMax material are used in the bathrooms.

The basis of the interior design of the KMDA is "white matter" that fills the space with air

Anna Izquierdo, creative director of the AIMM studio

Anna Izquierdo, creative director of the AIMM studio, spoke about the comfort of working with this material: "Since our company is engaged in the design of large interiors mainly for public purposes, HPL is used in 80% of cases at the concept stages due to the great need for an anti-vandal function. The material was used in small public spaces, in KMDA, and in offices, in particular in sales departments and lobbies of residential complexes.

Since its surface is wear-resistant, it is used with maximum human contact in mind. And we don't worry that the appearance will change over time. It is very convenient due to the fact that when decorating walls, the installation of a frame system under HPL panels can be carried out in parallel with other processes - laying networks and performing related works. Not every customer can afford this material, but it is worth it."

In the interior of the KMDA, the FunderMax material is used for decorating walls, columns, ceilings, for the manufacture of furniture and decorative panels, doors and sanitary cubicles

"School" stop

Changes in the consciousness of society are symbolically reflected in the traditional rituals of the cultural and educational sphere. When the private "A+ Gymnasium" opened in Kyiv in 2018, on September 1, children did not bring flowers to school, but their favorite books. Later, an attempt to divide technology classes by gender met with a wave of indignation from many children, because boys also wanted to learn to cook and sew, while girls became interested in woodworking and understanding how to fix faucets.

Parents want the new generation to avoid the mistakes they once learned themselves, so the need for progressive private schools with a new approach to education is only growing. Developers investing in educational projects do not talk about payback in the literal sense, but instead emphasize the understanding of investments in the future of the country.

On September 1, children did not bring flowers to the A+ Gymnasium, but their favorite books

Gymnasium A+, Kyiv, KAN company and archimatika bureau

However, let's return to the "Gymnasium A+" project, implemented thanks to the KAN company and the archimatika office. A library and a creative hub, a theater laboratory, premises for club meetings and trainings, an amphitheater for open-air concerts, a cinema hall, a climbing wall, sports grounds, a playroom for the smallest, rehearsal rooms and an art studio - these and other areas were foreseen by the architects of the project, which created technological, energy-efficient, functional and comfortable space for learning.

Gymnasium A+, Kyiv, KAN company and archimatika bureau

The company "Building Star", the official representative of FunderMax in Ukraine, is sincerely proud of its participation in the implementation of this project in collaboration with the company "Stalkon". The chess room is one of the game rooms that attracts attention with its bright design and memorable atmosphere. When you find yourself here, it's like entering Wonderland with Alice.

It was decided to decorate the interior with the help of HPL panels, embodying the idea of ​​a chessboard. The characteristic pattern of the playing surface is achieved by milling 12 mm white boards with a black core. In another room of the gymnasium called "Think Room", where children study the laws of nature, the countertops are made of FunderMax material. Now researches and experiments in the field of chemistry, physics, biology will be a pleasant and safe part of educational and cognitive experiments for children.

The interior of the chess room in the "A+ Gymnasium" in Kyiv, KAN company and archimatika bureau, implementation by "Stalkon" company

The interior of the "Think Room" room in the "A+ Gymnasium" in Kyiv, KAN company and archimatika bureau, implementation by "Stalkon" company

FunderMax continues to support the concept of modern education by participating in projects with a cultural and educational function. For example, the project of the "Triumph" school was implemented using this material.

And even in adulthood, it is important to continue learning, making this process as exciting and non-boring as it is in childhood. One of the strongest schools of business management in Ukraine is the Kyiv DTEK Academy. This is the educational direction of the company, which is the largest private investor in the country's energy sector. The purpose of the DTEK educational platform is to train public sector employees and corporate education. About 200 students study here every year.

DTEK Academy, Kyiv, Sergey Makhno Architects studio

DTEK Academy, Kyiv, Sergey Makhno Architects studio

The interior design of the DTEK Academy was carried out by the Sergey Makhno Architects studio. During six months of work, the architects transformed 6 square meters. m to a comfortable, mobile, flexible environment where the purpose of the premises, like the mood, changes during the day.

This project became a real challenge for Serhiy Makhn. "Interactive tree" of Mind energy, "space cafeteria", "Zen garden" on the ceiling, reception with mirrors - eloquent elements of the interior, in which the architects tried to use only the highest quality, most technological materials. Along with stainless steel and natural wood, FunderMax panels took a worthy place.

Olga Sobchyshina, chief engineer of the Sergey Makhno Architects studio

Olga Sobchyshina, chief engineer of the Sergey Makhno Architects studio, spoke about her experience working with HPL panels: "We use FunderMax in the decoration of walls and furniture facades. You want to work with this material: it is strong and durable, while it can be a little thick. In addition, it has standard fastening nodes, which simplifies the installation process. Our team of architects and engineers are satisfied with the work with FunderMax - it allows us to implement everything planned in the shortest possible time."

Stop "Shopping Center"

Modern retail space is oriented towards constant changes in the lifestyle and needs of customers. The design of commercial interiors corresponds to the marketing strategy: the owners of such objects try to take into account the market forecast and integrate responses to consumer demand into architectural design. In such spaces, it is important to create competent zoning, because a large number of neighboring different sites play completely different roles and compete with each other. Therefore, it is important to avoid imbalance and create a cheerful palette of emotions and visual diversity for visitors, which encourages shopping and entertainment.

Good Life shopping center, Kyiv, the architect of the design project is Olena Svystunova

One of the most comfortable shopping centers in the capital is Good Life, located on Pechersk. This three-story complex with an area of ​​10 square meters. m contains shopping areas with 000 shops and five restaurants.

The Good Life interior project was implemented in 2019 and is a reconstruction of an old industrial space. The architects considered it their duty to emphasize the beauty of honest constructions — the load-bearing frame elements inside the building, the reinforced concrete beams of the attic, adding them to the modern image.

Modern retail space is oriented towards constant changes in customer needs

Good Life shopping center, Kyiv, the architect of the design project is Olena Svystunova

In the interior of the Good Life shopping center, FunderMax HPL panels are an alternative to natural veneer

It was important for the customer to create a very cozy, homely, and not a cold commercial space. He also liked the style of lofts, long liked by everyone. Conceptually, it was decided to connect reinforced concrete beams with other materials through the classic combination of concrete and wood. However, the use of natural wood in the interior with a daily traffic of 1 people threatened rapid wear and tear. FunderMax decorative panels imitating the texture of natural material, cut to the width of a standard wooden bar, played the role of the main element of decoration. The variety of thicknesses of the panels made it possible to use them for different types of cladding.

Olena Svystunova, architect

Olena Svystunova, the architect of the design project, commented on the use of this material in the implementation of the object: "FunderMax is an excellent alternative to veneer. If we were to take a tree, then due to the humidity regime, it could lead over time. HPL panels are not a cheap type of decoration, but the issues of moisture resistance and fire safety are key here. Moreover, in terms of aesthetics, it is in no way inferior to its natural equivalent. There were no complicated components in this facility, the installation was without any particular problems, and we managed to implement everything in the shortest possible time."

Now Good Life is a place where you can hold a business meeting, shop or relax with the whole family.

 

Food court stop

Any walk through the city whets the appetite. At the very least, you want to go to a cozy coffee shop or have a burger or visit a popular restaurant in the capital.

One of the favorite historical districts of Kyiv not only for tourists, but also for the citizens themselves — Podil. Here you can relax and taste 20 varieties of craft beer in the atmospheric Drunken Monkey bar, and at the same time appreciate the quality of the interior. Round and rectangular table tops, bar counter, drawers and other furniture elements are made of FunderMax material.

Restaurant Dinner's, Kyiv, implementation of the company "Stalkon"

The image-creating factor of food courts is the concept of positioning

Restaurant Dinner's, Kyiv, implementation of the company "Stalkon"

While walking in the very center of the city on Khreshchatyk, you can have lunch at Star Burger, a two-story restaurant with high ceilings and brick walls, for which the FunderMax company made countertops with an engraved brand logo. The properties of HPL panels make it possible to carry out individual designs of any complexity according to the original sketches of architects. And this is very important, because a characteristic feature and image-creating factor of food courts, as well as shopping areas, is the concept of positioning, that is, the reflection of corporate style, identity.

In warm weather, it's nice to sit on the summer terrace, say, in the Dinner's restaurant. There, the outdoor tables are made of HPL panels, resistant to changes in temperature and moisture. Indoor countertops are made of 30 mm plywood with a laminated top layer, and the Soft Touch option makes their surface resistant to fingerprints. If you are still walking around the city and feel hungry, you can go to the Kyiv restaurant Priroda, where FunderMax took care of creating beautiful and comfortable tables for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

The Soft Touch option, used in the implementation of the countertops of the Dinner's chain of restaurants in Kyiv, makes the surface resistant to fingerprints

FunderMax is a material of possibilities, the application of which has no limits

The application of FunderMax in the food court sector is very wide. Working with this material is well known to the company "Stalkon", which is a permanent partner of the official FunderMax representative office in Ukraine - the company "Building Star". Serhii Volodymyrovych Skomorokhov, the founder of Stalkon, shared his thoughts: "We have been working with FunderMax since 2016. Recently, we have been cooperating with various manufacturers, but we consider "Building Star" to be one of the best companies that provides the highest quality material and its processing.

We can say that FunderMax is for the client who puts quality above price. As for the properties of this material, we, as a company that implements commercial objects, value HPL for its wear resistance and moisture resistance. These characteristics are most important in the production of furniture for the outdoor category. In terms of strength, it is superior to chipboard. The table top and my own workplace are made of 12 mm HPL plate.

I would like to note such a useful innovation of the "Building Star" company as fanelam - plastic glued on plywood. They are the first to come up with such a technology. The shopping and entertainment complex "Bridge City", which we implemented in Dnipro, is a vivid example of the wide application of fanelam and HPL."

Serhii Skomorokhov, founder of "Stalkon"

There are no limits to the application of FunderMax. The company itself calls it the material of possibilities. And it would be easy to make sure of this by continuing the topic of exploring the city in the field of offices or sports complexes, by looking, for example, at the capital's "FIZMAT Sports Hub" to burn off extra calories after a food marathon. Or study city clinics, where the material has also found its application. But this will be a completely different excursion from FunderMax, which we will talk about in the next volume.