Inside Kolektifhouse’s Cool Istanbul Coworking Space

Kolektifhouse, a Turkey-based coworking platform that provides a more creative, efficient and social work environment to freelancers, entrepreneurs and companies all under one roof, recently opened a new coworking location in Istanbul’s Levent district. The new coworking space is located in an old factory building, and was designed by KONTRA Architecture.

“The project stands out in the center of the city with its distinct, industrial style, making use of a combination of firebricks, raw iron, exposed concrete, OSB (oriented strand board), glass and wood. The original walls of firebricks and the iron joinery have been preserved and, reminiscent of the structure’s industrial past, these elements create a common language for the offices in the building. Panel walls have been left blank to offer each separate corporate identity the opportunity to exhibit its own defining graphic arts. Office gardens have been created that blend in seamlessly with the wooden terraces and the landscape to create a green, living and breathing space for office life right in the center of the city. The interior is highlighted with conference rooms that were designed with a “green office” approach, accentuated by graphics inspired by nature and carpets boasting of a watercolor effect. The different designs of the six conference rooms accommodate corporate meetings and provide users with comfortable gathering areas that offer full rein to a range of concepts. “Kolektifhouse” was born from the inspiration of creating a “house” that incorporates spacious spaces and pitched roofs, decorated with a scattering of objects and wheel mechanisms that highlight the design and together symbolize collective work and collaboration. The common areas of the home offices, telephone booths as well as the bathroom partitions that call to mind the houses of Amsterdam were constructed with OSB. The event hall, one of the prominent spaces in the building, was designed to feature wooden tiers to seat a large number of people and a multilevel and high-ceiling structure that serves to conceal mechanical systems, providing a multifunctional hall that can be used for seminars, parties, educational activities and other social events. The greenery dangling from the walkway above and the continuous background music present a peaceful atmosphere to work in when there are no activities scheduled and the wooden tiers offer the comfort of French cushions, the convenience of convertible ping-pong/work tables and beanbag chairs. The high standing bar, tables and stools at the Geyik Café, the favorite stop of young intellectuals, is a pleasant place to take a break and has been included in the project as a food-and-drink adjunct to the multifunction event hall”, says Kontra

• Location: Levent – Instanbul, Turkey
• Date completed: 2016
• Size: 29,000 square feet
• Design: Kontra Architecture