DVL Logistics Office

The Challenge

Behind the Scenes: What They Don’t Show You

Everyone is charmed by end-result glamour shots of a perfect corporate office with marble, proper lighting, and beautiful wooden walls. However, not many people know that the road from 3D modeling to reality involves numerous challenges.

I remember that during the DVL Logistics project implementation, we had to overcome many obstacles to achieve the desired result. People saw final pictures of a luxury office, but we knew that getting there was a painful process requiring a lot of effort.

First, working with contractors is always seasonal, meaning that we can only work when weather permits. Second, in the early stages, it is hard to believe that anything will be square. While in software, people design everything with 90°, real-site walls tend to twist and turn, and pillars lean. When building a custom floor-to-ceiling panel made of veneer and metal inlay, it took us a while to work out all the details with contractors on-site.

Then, it is a challenge to coordinate five different teams in one narrow corridor. We had electricians who had to lay out hidden wire for the proper lighting of a conference room, painters who did a base coat, glass partition contractors, and gypsum plasterers. It is not easy to organize the workflow so that nobody messes up someone’s work or causes delays. We also had to waste time searching for materials that matched the color of a custom LED profile or looked decent under harsh on-site lighting instead of being orange as in the presentation.

Lastly, there is a boss who has plans for a new office and a specific move-in date. A commercial office move is never quick, and a luxury cabin requires time and attention. Meanwhile, a client does not want to wait and cancels plans for a week or even less. As a result, every evening I stay in the office, double-checking all the details because they have to be perfect. Nobody wants a picture of a broken wooden detail in a high-class cabin on social media.

The Concept

When DVL Logistics turned to us for interior design services, their main architectural brief was to break away from the cold and impersonal corporate environment typical for distribution centers. Being a logistics company implies a strong focus on the global supply chain, fast-paced operations, and continuous vertical integration, which, in the architectural setting, had to be counterbalanced with luxury elements usually found in private residences. The architecture of DVL Logistics’ new space is a harmonious combination of industrial reliability and exquisite finishes that complete the overall image of a high-class business hub.

First of all, the concept is based on juxtaposing materials that suggest warmth and coziness, such as the applied wood veneers and acoustic panels, and cold, industrial, manifested in large metallic inlays and high-gloss orange brand accents. Secondly, to fulfill the client’s desires for both collaboration and solitude, moveable glass partitions with a horizontal division pattern were introduced, which, by means of ample natural lighting, unify the workspace, meeting areas, and private offices. Finally, the notion of lighting was instrumental in shaping the project’s concept. Instead of opting for the standard “white” scheme, we incorporated linear G-shaped luminaires, integrated vertical LED strips, and warm cove lighting into the design to define spatial divisions and accents.

Overall, the architecture of DVL Logistics’ distribution center makes it possible to indulge in the image of a company that values aesthetics as much as operational efficiency. Thus, each client that enters the facility will share a unique and well-crafted experience that is bound to leave a lasting impression.

The Material Hunt

When searching for the perfect custom LED profile that would match the warm range of the chosen light fixtures or a high-gloss finish that does not reveal any imperfections in a branding wall of high-pressure orange paint, the hunt can be compared to racing against time across multiple trade shows.

Beating the Corporate Clock

A commercial space is not a residence; accordingly, clients do not have the luxury of time that homeowners might have. In other words, if the contract stipulates a specific date for key delivery, there is no “Plan B” for site supervisors ready to complete the wall finishing works “next week.”

Excellence Is Hard Work

There is no doubt that a luxury cabin in the woods, meant for private use, involves a degree of detailing that would be challenging to achieve in a short while. However, the same has to be said about a commercial project, which presupposes long hours on-site to ensure that each detail, groove, and division is chiseled out with precision.

The Outcome

The Final Result: The Efficiency and Luxury Come Together

While the project was initially only a structure for DVL’s logistics, it can now be seen as a proper corporate headquarters that impresses every visitor nevertheless. While it managed to blend luxury and opulence of an executive office, it also provides the necessary power and efficiency for a logistics company, and the final result is a true masterpiece. The project has several strong points, including the high-end look of the executive section with its vertical wood paneling and subtle LED accent lighting. The workspace and conference rooms are organized in a way that provides a sense of openness while maintaining a division between different work areas, with special glass partitions. Meanwhile, the corporate world map made in high gloss orange and the custom LED halo are also worth noting. Finally, the project is truly impressive with its ability to meet the demands of the constructor within the short deadline, which also speaks of its quality and level of detail. Indeed, the described result is an excellent solution for a logistics company that will truly serve as a corporate landmark in the future.