Architecture firm Kinzo, commissioned by game developer and publisher KRAFTON, has taken a playful design approach to the office space of PUBG STUDIOS, inspired by the popular online game Player Unknown's Battlegrounds. The building provides expert working conditions in a responsive layout that translates the popular game IP into space. Kinzo teamed up with the local interior firm Dawon & Company for implementation planning and construction management.
The architectural concept mirrors the gameplay dynamics within the workplace, emphasizing functionality while capturing the essence of PUBG STUDIOS` design and aesthetic. The office floors are structured as maps, with distinct monuments connected by a network of pathways. This deliberate spatial representation provides a unique experience for office users, encouraging exploration and interaction as they move between different zones, much like players do in the game.
A central theme of the architectural design revolves around the seamless integration of teamwork-related elements from PUBG STUDIOS into the spatial context. Collaborative workspaces, strategically placed meeting rooms, and shared workstations emphasize cooperation- a vital aspect of success in both gaming and the professional realm. The Image_38_©KRAFTON airdrop concept is taken from the game's "battle royale" mechanics and translated into an eye-catching staircase that serves as the spine and focal point of the office, guiding employees to nourishing areas such as tea kitchens and recreation rooms. Adjacent lounge spaces, stand-up options and meeting rooms complement this central feature, creating a dynamic zone for chance encounters and creative exchange at the heart of the office.
Reflecting PUBG STUDIOS Executive Producer's vision and involvement in decision making, the design prioritizes capturing the mood of the game. In addition, the emphasis on indirect lighting on the ceiling, while potentially creating darker spaces, matches the programmers' sensitivity to direct light. This conscious choice reflects the second most important aspect of the design, which is to accommodate the comfort and preferences of the office occupants, especially the programmers. As such, the red staircase leads from a somber underground level to a bright communal area and gives access to the roof terrace with a spectacular view of Gangnam, the modern center of Seoul. This integration of PUBG STUDIOS' inherent architecture transforms the office into a living representation of the game's principles, offering employees a dynamic and engaging workspace that blurs the lines between reality and the virtual landscapes they explore.
Kinzo is an internationally operating architecture office focusing on interior design, building in existing contexts and place making, founded in 2005 by Karim El Ishmawi, Martin Jacobs and Chris Middleton. The multidisciplinary teams in Berlin and Munich manage projects from initial consultation and analysis through strategy and conception to planning and implementation. They create future-oriented redevelopment concepts to revitalize spaces and repurpose them according to needs. At the core of all planning is the perspective of future users. With this holistic and participatory design approach, Kinzo conceives new living and working environments as distinctive places that lastingly attract and inspire people.
