The secret of children’s play lies in the ability to imagine and transform ordinary objects into something extraordinary. This very perspective inspired our design for the new office of the Detsky Mir Group. We chose to transform the standard corporate box into a “Magic Box,” infusing it with narrative and imagination. Our goal was not only to capture the company’s spirit, but also to preserve its corporate identity, maintaining continuity with the headquarters project we developed in 2018.

As with the previous office, we translated the company’s core values through architecture: immersion into the world of childhood, openness, and accessibility for everyone. Faced with the building’s regular square footprint, we introduced a central volume that consolidates the primary functions. Just as a simple box transforms into something wondrous in a child’s hands, we turned the central “box” into a magical one. Drawing inspiration from papercraft techniques—cutting, folding, and coloring—these unconventional design solutions make the “Magic Box” a vibrant focal point set against the neutral backdrop of the open-plan workspace.

Continuity with the headquarters is maintained through the company’s brand identity. However, while the headquarters distributed the four corporate colors across separate floors, here they converge into a cohesive scheme to zone the space. The red arch marks the main entrance, acting as a portal into a completely different world of childhood. Shades of blue, green, and yellow envelop the walls of the central volume, reminiscent of coloring a cardboard box.

The bespoke furniture extends the core narrative of playing with volume and planar surfaces. A row of yellow lockers echoes paper bunting cut with scissors, while the lounge sofas appear crafted from two strips of paper, the lower section accordion-pleated for structural rigidity.

The image of the “Magic Box” transports us back to childhood, when every day brings new discoveries and endless possibilities. The new Detsky Mir office has become a place where imagination and playful exploration empower the team to reach ambitious goals, while clean architectural solutions and vibrant colors highlight their boldness and creativity.

Credits:
Architecture: Vera Odyn, Anna Novikova, Pavel Makarchenkov, Alexander Gabisov, Artemy Smirnov, Maria Novikova, Nikita Gritsuk
Client: Detsky Mir Group
Status: Completed
Location: Moscow
Area: 1,800 m²
Year: 2021–2022
Photography: Ilya Ivanov